Dorothea Marie Hunt

Dorothea Marie May (‘Dot’) Hunt, 94, of Urbana, IL went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 26, 2023 in the presence of her family.  Dorothea was born on November 21, 1928 on a farm near Montmorenci, IN to Kenneth and Margaret May.  Although she was an only child, her formative years were surrounded by her close-knit extended family, most notably a close friendship with her maternal grandmother, Grace Larrabee, a special bond that would remain until Grace’s passing. Dorothea graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1947 of Montmorenci High School out of a graduating class of only eleven.  She went on to attend Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where she graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics.  It was during her time at Purdue when she met the love of her life Donnell (‘Don’) Hunt while both were enrolled in a government class.  The two married on September 2, 1951, beginning what would eventually become 71 blessed years of married life together. The young couple relocated to Ames, IA in 1951 where, while Don was studying for his masters and doctorate degrees, Dot worked at the Iowa State University Library while teaching classes in library research to incoming freshmen.  Dot would fondly look back at her years at Iowa State as the period of time when she earned more income than her husband . . . quite an accomplishment for the 1950s! The Hunts eventually moved to Urbana, IL in 1960 when Don accepted a professorship in Agricultural Engineering with the University of Illinois while Dot taught library science for several years at Urbana Junior High School.  She paused her career with the birth of their son David and daughter DeAnne.  From that point on, Dot devoted her time to becoming a true “Super Mom”, immersing herself into her children’s activities and supporting causes in the Champaign-Urbana community that were important to her including a variety of leadership and service in her church, Urbana Parent Teachers Association, PEO Sisterhood, Meals On Wheels, and the Edgewood Homeowners Association to name a few, however, her 20+ years of service as Trustee of the Edge-Scott Fire District and 30+ years of 4-H leadership in Champaign County will always be hallmarks of her passion for community service.  Dot would later admit that one of her proudest moments was when she successfully co-chaired a successful referendum before the voters of Champaign County which ensured the survival of Cooperative Extension programs in the county for future generations to come.  No account of Dot’s life would be complete without acknowledging her allegiance through ‘thick and thin’ to the Orange and Blue, as a 50 plus year season ticketholder to Illini Football and Basketball games, complete with numerous trips to bowl and NCAA tournament contests.  Also, through Don’s work with the University, the Hunts were able to enjoy several opportunities for international travel together over the years, most notably a year’s sabbatical in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland in 1968-1969 and a month-long speaking engagement in Australia in 1986.  Dorothea is survived by her husband, Dr. Donnell Hunt; children David (Deborah) Hunt of Danville, IN, and DeAnne (Matthew) Bachtold of Brownsburg, IN; and grandchildren Cale Bachtold, Nate Bachtold, Ethan Hunt, and Emily Hunt. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, 602 W. Green St., Urbana, IL on Saturday, August 5, 2023 with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. and a service starting at 10:00 a.m., to be immediately followed by a luncheon at the church.  A private burial service will take place on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. the Hadley Friends Church Cemetery in Danville, IN. The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the staff of Meadowbrook Rehabilitation in Urbana for the outstanding care Dorothea received during her final years.  Donations may be made to either the Champaign County Extension Education Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana in Dorothea’s memory.

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