Gunter Ends Long Career Of Public Service
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Avis B. Gunter was presented with a Distinguished Hoosier Award by State Representatives David Wolkins and Bill Ruppel.
County council members Charlene Knispel, Harold Jones and John Kinsey thanked the three-term commissioner of the southern district with a certificate of appreciation.
Congressman Mark Souder dropped by with a letter thanking her for her 43 years of public service.
People dropped off cards and small gifts, pausing to look at a scrapbook of Gunter's accomplishments or to watch a digitalized photo album on a television set.
Gunter, 78, a Claypool native who still lives on the Kimes family farm there, was surrounded by well-wishers, hundreds of old friends and new acquaintances during a retirement party held in her honor. She had a word, a touch, a hug and a smile for everyone.
Gunter lost the Republican primary election for the commissioner's post to fellow Claypoolian Bob Conley in May.
She began her career as a second deputy to the county assessor in 1964 and worked in that office for 18 years. She was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Carl Zimmer, who retired, in April 1974.
She was elected assessor in November 1974. That year the assessor's budget was $29,795, with provisions for three deputies.
She held the assessor's office until she was elected to the commissioner's office in 1995
This year she helped prepare the 2007 commissioners' budgets of more than $9.8 million.
She served as president of the Indiana County Assessor's Association. She has served as a Kosciusko County commissioner for 12 years. Her grandfather, John Kimes, also was a Kosciusko County commissioner.
Gunter's father, Avery Kimes, was a Clay Township trustee.
She is a member of the Kosciusko County Republican Women's Club, having served several times as president. She also has been honored with the Republican of the Year Award.
She is a member of the Claypool United Methodist Church.
She is or has been active with the Kosciusko County Foundation, Historical Society, Home Health Care, Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers, Warsaw Community Development Corp. and still sings with the Melloairs.
She volunteers as an usher at the Wagon Wheel Theatre and belongs to the Red Hat Society. She has served on the county drainage board and was a member of the Solid Waste Management District Board because of her position as county commissioner.
Gunter served as president of the Association of Indiana Counties, recently receiving the group's highest award, the Arthur Himsel Award. She has held numerous positions in the Indiana County Commissioners Association. She has received numerous awards from the Warsaw - Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce including the Government Excellence Award and the highest annual award presented, the Woman of the Year.
Gunter and her husband, the late Everett "Red," have two children. Daughter Ava is a retired United States Marshall. Son Hal is a Lakeview Middle School guidance counselor and high school basketball assistant coach. She has four granddaughters, one grandson and one great grandson.
Avis will complete her elected career at the end of this year, having served the county more than 43 years. She has always believed in government employees giving 100 percent to see that the taxpayers work is completed in a timely and accurate manner and has faithfully supported continuing education for county government. [[In-content Ad]]
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Avis B. Gunter was presented with a Distinguished Hoosier Award by State Representatives David Wolkins and Bill Ruppel.
County council members Charlene Knispel, Harold Jones and John Kinsey thanked the three-term commissioner of the southern district with a certificate of appreciation.
Congressman Mark Souder dropped by with a letter thanking her for her 43 years of public service.
People dropped off cards and small gifts, pausing to look at a scrapbook of Gunter's accomplishments or to watch a digitalized photo album on a television set.
Gunter, 78, a Claypool native who still lives on the Kimes family farm there, was surrounded by well-wishers, hundreds of old friends and new acquaintances during a retirement party held in her honor. She had a word, a touch, a hug and a smile for everyone.
Gunter lost the Republican primary election for the commissioner's post to fellow Claypoolian Bob Conley in May.
She began her career as a second deputy to the county assessor in 1964 and worked in that office for 18 years. She was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Carl Zimmer, who retired, in April 1974.
She was elected assessor in November 1974. That year the assessor's budget was $29,795, with provisions for three deputies.
She held the assessor's office until she was elected to the commissioner's office in 1995
This year she helped prepare the 2007 commissioners' budgets of more than $9.8 million.
She served as president of the Indiana County Assessor's Association. She has served as a Kosciusko County commissioner for 12 years. Her grandfather, John Kimes, also was a Kosciusko County commissioner.
Gunter's father, Avery Kimes, was a Clay Township trustee.
She is a member of the Kosciusko County Republican Women's Club, having served several times as president. She also has been honored with the Republican of the Year Award.
She is a member of the Claypool United Methodist Church.
She is or has been active with the Kosciusko County Foundation, Historical Society, Home Health Care, Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers, Warsaw Community Development Corp. and still sings with the Melloairs.
She volunteers as an usher at the Wagon Wheel Theatre and belongs to the Red Hat Society. She has served on the county drainage board and was a member of the Solid Waste Management District Board because of her position as county commissioner.
Gunter served as president of the Association of Indiana Counties, recently receiving the group's highest award, the Arthur Himsel Award. She has held numerous positions in the Indiana County Commissioners Association. She has received numerous awards from the Warsaw - Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce including the Government Excellence Award and the highest annual award presented, the Woman of the Year.
Gunter and her husband, the late Everett "Red," have two children. Daughter Ava is a retired United States Marshall. Son Hal is a Lakeview Middle School guidance counselor and high school basketball assistant coach. She has four granddaughters, one grandson and one great grandson.
Avis will complete her elected career at the end of this year, having served the county more than 43 years. She has always believed in government employees giving 100 percent to see that the taxpayers work is completed in a timely and accurate manner and has faithfully supported continuing education for county government. [[In-content Ad]]