Janet Hunter

Janet Hunter, 84, of Aurora, passed away on Oct. 2, 2025.
She was born March 22, 1941. She graduated from Marionville High School and attended SMSU in Springfield. She was active in both the music and theater departments, traveled with a performance group to Europe and was part of the original Tent Theater.
She married Bob Hunter in 1967 and moved to Republic. They wanted to raise their family in a community with a good school system and small-town values, so in 1971 they bought a home in Aurora and proudly became Houn’ Dawgs. They were long-time members of the Aurora United Methodist Church, where she used her many musical gifts to serve as organist, choir director and soloist.
She started her teaching career in her hometown of Marionville, then continued in Mt. Vernon teaching speech and debate, English and drama. She finished her career in public education in Aurora teaching elementary music. She gave vocal, flute and piano lessons and even had a musical preschool in her home. She also provided music for countless weddings and funerals over the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Hunter; her mother Elaine Skogman; and her brother Jamie Simmons.
She is survived by her oldest daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mike McWilliams and her youngest daughter Teri Hunter.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 11, at the First United Methodist Church in Marionville, with a private burial to follow at Maple Park Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Peterson Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support the arts, take your kids to church, decorate for every holiday, spoil your dog and call your mom