Jeremy Gunter

Jeremy Gunter was a man with spirit. He had so much to offer the world, and he knew that the world had much to offer him. It takes a special kind of person to understand and take advantage of these qualities. Jeremy did just that. He took the world on, ready to find out something new, and seeing things on until their end. He was a brave and strong person, who was as stubborn as could be, but at the same time, so easy-going. He was always ready to laugh- or pull a prank on someone; he always brought happiness to those around him. Jeremy was a fantastic, generous person.

Things were happening all over the place in America during 1975. We were finally pulling out of the Vietnam War, the nation had to deal with the mess of the Watergate Scandal, and Saturday Night Live was aired for the very first time. Excitement, suspicion, relief, and well-earned leisure were floating around nearly every household. But on the 9th of May in 1975, all of these things seemed to melt away for one family, in the light of a new addition to their home. Herbert and Virginia "Jenny" (Bumgardner) Gunter welcomed their second child, Jeremy Lane, into their arms.

It was a warm spring day, the perfect day for the birth of their son. The couple had to go to the doctor earlier that day because Herb had a little back problem. They had to go right on back when Jenny, who thought she just had some simple stomach pain, went into labor. She joked that they should have just stayed put at the doctor’s in the first place!

Jeremy’s older brother, Jeffery, who was six at the time, was excited to have a little brother, until he was about two years old. Perhaps the “terrible two” stage was a little less exciting, and a little more annoying for a big brother to deal with. But the two were always very close throughout their lives.

As a boy, Jeremy was into everything. There was very little that wasn’t within his reach, regardless of what he had to do to get there. Even the fenced in yard was no obstacle for him- he escaped regularly! He loved to ride his big-wheel and make ramps to jump off of. Heights were nothing to him, he loved to climb, and he loved to scale above the ground. His interest in how and why everything worked made him a smart and curious young man who couldn’t help but get himself into different kinds of mischief. He even scared off at least one babysitter with his antics!

Growing up, he went to Manchester Elementary and then Manchester Jr. and Sr. High. He loved sports and played trumpet in the band too. He enjoyed softball, baseball, football and track; he kept himself quite busy!

Jeremy also had a special love for animals. He had a way with them, always making quick friends. Perhaps this is why he mastered so many pets over the years- he clicked, and couldn’t bear to part with them! Growing up in his household he had Buttercup, and later an English Springer Spaniel, Katty who was quite spoiled.

Just six days short of his 18th birthday, Jeremy was diagnosed with cancer. He had just been accepted to Wabash College, an elite, all-male college in Indiana and awarded a scholarship to attend there. This was all put on hold for one year while he was fighting off the cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation, but never let himself get down about it. He was in pep band at Manchester College during this year and made light of losing his hair. The next year, he transferred to Wabash and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, strong as ever.

In his senior year there, a young homesick girl who was a freshman at Purdue, had allowed herself to be talked into a road trip to Crawfordsville. It was on this wonderful night, that Katie Rivich met Jeremy. Being the perfect gentleman he offered her a blanket to use for the night. Katie remembered him looking quite sharp, as he’d just gotten his hair cut the same day. He was enamored by her, and she couldn’t resist his sweet charm, good looks, or his nice smell. At one point that night, he helped her up and it was as if they never quit holding hands. Although Katie was determined not to settle down quite yet, she had met her match in Jeremy.

The two began dating, and he asked her to marry him on October 9th, 1999. They were married October 6th, 2001 in Griffith Lutheran Church in Katie’s hometown. Their love for each other was new, but very strong. He cared about her more than anything.

After he graduated from Wabash he worked in the data center there, and later took up a position with Eli Lilly. He was the kind of man who liked to do more, explore his boundaries, and perhaps ignore those boundaries. He put his great mind to work and started an IT company called Synaptix. Jeremy later linked up with a couple of college friends who were creating a company they named Apparatus. As Chief Technical Officer, with strategic and technical responsibilities, Jeremy was instrumental in the development and growth of Apparatus, an IT firm located in downtown Indianapolis. He served with the company for nearly eight years, during which time he was widely recognized within the local information technology industry for his extensive skills and exemplary work ethic.Together they provided IT services for major businesses like the Indianapolis Colts, Eli Lilly, and a number of insurance firms. His work was often influential, and his contributions to the company during his eight-year involvement were tremendous.

In March 2006, he and Katie moved into their new home that they had built in Mooresville, Indiana. They had five acres of land all to themselves, which Jeremy loved. He was excited to work on their house with Katie, and did much of the finish carpentry in the home himself. He was very pleased with their new abode.

In September of that same year, cancer had returned in his lungs. Again, he would not be put off by the news, and he was brave and courageous as he did everything he could to fight it off. He tried chemotherapy, and a number of experimental treatments, but could not find a cure.

Jeremy died July 17, 2008.

He was a man whose bravery and tenaciousness could not be put into question. He dearly loved his wife, parents, brother, nieces & nephews, and and many friends. He spent his life making unforgettable memories with them. He was intelligent beyond his years, and knew how to make the most out of even the worst situations. He never let things get him down, and he loved life. He was a great man who will be deeply missed.

Jeremy was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Floyd Monroe; paternal grandparents, Elmer and Thelda (Wise) Gunter. His family members include the love of his life, wife Katie (Rivich) Gunter; parents, Herbert and Virginia (Bumgardner) Gunter; brother, Jeffrey Gunter (Jennifer); maternal grandmother, Josephine Jackson; mother-in-law, Robin Kaiser; nieces & nephews, Elizabeth, Jocelyn, Nathaniel, Nicholas Gunter. He is also survived by his feline companions, Little Boy and Maggie and his and Katie’s golden retriever, Bridget.

Friends may spend time with Jeremy’s family Sunday, July 20, 2008, 2-6 p.m. at Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel, Mooresville, Indiana. Funeral services will take place Monday, July 21, 2008, 11 a.m. at the funeral chapel with Pastor David Dehnke officiating. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo of Jeremy.