DeAnna Ragan (L) presents Avis Gunter with cupcakes during a birthday celebration Friday, June 8, at Republican headquarters in downtown Warsaw. Standing behind Gunter is Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath.  InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

Staff Report

WARSAW – Avis Gunter celebrated her 94th birthday at one of her favorite places – GOP Headquarters in Warsaw.

Avis Gunter is pictured on her 94th birthday. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

The longtime Republican, who worked in Kosciusko County government for 43 years, still volunteers at the Kosciusko County Republican Headquarters on Friday afternoons, so longtime friends organized a celebration of her 94th birthday at the offices on West Center Street.

Gunter was presented with a plate full of cupcakes and those gathered then sang Happy Birthday.

Among the many people attending Friday’s gathering were former Mayor (and current county council president) Ernie Wiggins, former Warsaw Police Chief Steve Foster, Kosciusko County Republican Chair Mike Ragan, former county auditor Jean Northenor and numerous elected county officials and friends.

She began her career as a clerk in the assessor’s office and was a  county assessor for 21 years before serving as a county commissioner for 12 years.

She said she liked all of her roles and the notion of being able to help the county. “That’s all I ever wanted was what was best for the county,” she said.

The Claypool native still finds time to work at Republican headquarters.

“Why not?” she said with a smile.

Avis Gunter, center, shows off her birthday cupcakes Friday at Republican Headquarters in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.