Lea (pronounced Lee) Gunning was born in Kokomo and spent his entire life there except for a brief residence in Cassville, Indiana. He was married October 18, 1917 to Arlene McCoy and graduated from Kokomo High School.
His son-in-law, John Beaver, recalled that Lea was a jovial guy who loved to go fishing.
On the outbreak of World War I, he entered the first officer's training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison and after being commissioned, served as an instructor at Camp Shelby and other training points with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was assigned to the Adjutant General Department, ORC, Indiana. He was a member of the American Legion and of Beamer Methodist Church. Gus stayed in reserves and worked his way up to major. He was ordered to duty and called in for world war 2; however, failed the physical.
Lea was a mail carrier from the Kokomo Post Office for more than twenty years, retiring from that service three years before his accidental death. His son-in-law, (John Beaver) recalled that a big dog followed Lea on his route to protect him from other dogs! The local newspaper reported that icy road conditions were the cause. His car veered off the road and crashed into a telephone pole three miles north of Morgan Street on the Ohio Street road. He died of a broken neck and death came suddenly with the impact, according to the coroner. The car, with a badly damaged radiator and his body in an upright position behind the driver's wheel, was discovered by a Wayne Moore, Kokomo Route 3, who was driving by the scene of the crash. Lea, apparently, had been driving south toward Kokomo. His daughter Kate recalled that her father had been hunting and there were rabbits in the car. His daughter was so traumatized that she went into early labor and had her son, David Lea Beaver, the next day. She was unable to attend her father's funeral.
Lea and his wife had three daughters and one son. His widow never remarried. He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Kokomo.
OBITUARY
Mr. Leo O. Gunning was born in Howard County. Indiana, into the home of Gusta E. and Ada O. Gunning, March 11. 1895. He went to be with his Lord on January 7, 1947. His parents and brother and sister have preceded him in death. He was united in marriage with Arlene McCoy, of Kokomo. Indiana; on October 18, 1917. There are four children: Mrs. Norma Hooker, and Mrs. Kathryn Beaver, of Kokomo; David and Joyce at home. There are seven grandchildren. He loved his own devotedly. He served in the armed forces from 1917 to 1919 and served for years since in the reserve forces. He always bore a sense of keen sympathetic understanding toward all service personnel, his own loved ones having served in this most recent conflict. He served our community as a postal letter carrier for twenty-two years, and was loved and respected by patrons and his co-laborers. He always expressed a humble pride in his relationship to the men, and to the families of the men who were in this field as co-laborers. Three years ago yesterday, during a severe illness for him, both he and Mrs. Gunning found Christ as their Saviour. He with his family, become the most faithful type of Christians, very earnest and intelligent Students of God's Word, and Way of life. Walking with a firm tread of faith, they found God real to meet every need of life, both physical and spiritual. With strength of body given by God's touch, he, and they moved into realms of service for God. He bore a great burden for the salvation of men, and the personal evangelistic work of the Church depended upon his leadership. Friends from many homes of our city have brought their tribute of love for his ministry of Christian love in their homes. In almost more spots than can be mentioned, he helped his pastor. He has served in several places of responsibility, in Beamer Church, and was recording-treasurer of the building fund at the time of his Home-going. He was ready to meet Christ, and went to be with Him. His attitude of life as a Christian might well be expressed in one of the many poems he wrote. We have no way of knowing whether anyone besides the pastor and wife have ever seen this poem before, for he was very modest.
"Not I, But Jesus
If 'mid disheartening storm and strife.
By kindly thought or deed.
I. in my humble daily life
Should meet some soul's great need.
'Tis not I, but Jesus.
Should I. through God's Holy Word.
Bring truth and hope and light .
To one. who maybe has not heard,
Or some should gain new sight
Thru' me. 'tis Jesus.
Oh! God of mercy, accept my heart,
Send deep Thy peace within.
May thy great love cleanse every part,
Cast out all doubt and sin,
Leave only Jesus."
His son-in-law, John Beaver, recalled that Lea was a jovial guy who loved to go fishing.
On the outbreak of World War I, he entered the first officer's training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison and after being commissioned, served as an instructor at Camp Shelby and other training points with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was assigned to the Adjutant General Department, ORC, Indiana. He was a member of the American Legion and of Beamer Methodist Church. Gus stayed in reserves and worked his way up to major. He was ordered to duty and called in for world war 2; however, failed the physical.
Lea was a mail carrier from the Kokomo Post Office for more than twenty years, retiring from that service three years before his accidental death. His son-in-law, (John Beaver) recalled that a big dog followed Lea on his route to protect him from other dogs! The local newspaper reported that icy road conditions were the cause. His car veered off the road and crashed into a telephone pole three miles north of Morgan Street on the Ohio Street road. He died of a broken neck and death came suddenly with the impact, according to the coroner. The car, with a badly damaged radiator and his body in an upright position behind the driver's wheel, was discovered by a Wayne Moore, Kokomo Route 3, who was driving by the scene of the crash. Lea, apparently, had been driving south toward Kokomo. His daughter Kate recalled that her father had been hunting and there were rabbits in the car. His daughter was so traumatized that she went into early labor and had her son, David Lea Beaver, the next day. She was unable to attend her father's funeral.
Lea and his wife had three daughters and one son. His widow never remarried. He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Kokomo.
OBITUARY
Mr. Leo O. Gunning was born in Howard County. Indiana, into the home of Gusta E. and Ada O. Gunning, March 11. 1895. He went to be with his Lord on January 7, 1947. His parents and brother and sister have preceded him in death. He was united in marriage with Arlene McCoy, of Kokomo. Indiana; on October 18, 1917. There are four children: Mrs. Norma Hooker, and Mrs. Kathryn Beaver, of Kokomo; David and Joyce at home. There are seven grandchildren. He loved his own devotedly. He served in the armed forces from 1917 to 1919 and served for years since in the reserve forces. He always bore a sense of keen sympathetic understanding toward all service personnel, his own loved ones having served in this most recent conflict. He served our community as a postal letter carrier for twenty-two years, and was loved and respected by patrons and his co-laborers. He always expressed a humble pride in his relationship to the men, and to the families of the men who were in this field as co-laborers. Three years ago yesterday, during a severe illness for him, both he and Mrs. Gunning found Christ as their Saviour. He with his family, become the most faithful type of Christians, very earnest and intelligent Students of God's Word, and Way of life. Walking with a firm tread of faith, they found God real to meet every need of life, both physical and spiritual. With strength of body given by God's touch, he, and they moved into realms of service for God. He bore a great burden for the salvation of men, and the personal evangelistic work of the Church depended upon his leadership. Friends from many homes of our city have brought their tribute of love for his ministry of Christian love in their homes. In almost more spots than can be mentioned, he helped his pastor. He has served in several places of responsibility, in Beamer Church, and was recording-treasurer of the building fund at the time of his Home-going. He was ready to meet Christ, and went to be with Him. His attitude of life as a Christian might well be expressed in one of the many poems he wrote. We have no way of knowing whether anyone besides the pastor and wife have ever seen this poem before, for he was very modest.
"Not I, But Jesus
If 'mid disheartening storm and strife.
By kindly thought or deed.
I. in my humble daily life
Should meet some soul's great need.
'Tis not I, but Jesus.
Should I. through God's Holy Word.
Bring truth and hope and light .
To one. who maybe has not heard,
Or some should gain new sight
Thru' me. 'tis Jesus.
Oh! God of mercy, accept my heart,
Send deep Thy peace within.
May thy great love cleanse every part,
Cast out all doubt and sin,
Leave only Jesus."
Lea (pronounced Lee) Gunning was born in Kokomo and spent his entire life there except for a brief residence in Cassville, Indiana. He was married October 18, 1917 to Arlene McCoy and graduated from Kokomo High School.
His son-in-law, John Beaver, recalled that Lea was a jovial guy who loved to go fishing.
On the outbreak of World War I, he entered the first officer's training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison and after being commissioned, served as an instructor at Camp Shelby and other training points with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was assigned to the Adjutant General Department, ORC, Indiana. He was a member of the American Legion and of Beamer Methodist Church. Gus stayed in reserves and worked his way up to major. He was ordered to duty and called in for world war 2; however, failed the physical.
Lea was a mail carrier from the Kokomo Post Office for more than twenty years, retiring from that service three years before his accidental death. His son-in-law, (John Beaver) recalled that a big dog followed Lea on his route to protect him from other dogs! The local newspaper reported that icy road conditions were the cause. His car veered off the road and crashed into a telephone pole three miles north of Morgan Street on the Ohio Street road. He died of a broken neck and death came suddenly with the impact, according to the coroner. The car, with a badly damaged radiator and his body in an upright position behind the driver's wheel, was discovered by a Wayne Moore, Kokomo Route 3, who was driving by the scene of the crash. Lea, apparently, had been driving south toward Kokomo. His daughter Kate recalled that her father had been hunting and there were rabbits in the car. His daughter was so traumatized that she went into early labor and had her son, David Lea Beaver, the next day. She was unable to attend her father's funeral.
Lea and his wife had three daughters and one son. His widow never remarried. He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Kokomo.
OBITUARY
Mr. Leo O. Gunning was born in Howard County. Indiana, into the home of Gusta E. and Ada O. Gunning, March 11. 1895. He went to be with his Lord on January 7, 1947. His parents and brother and sister have preceded him in death. He was united in marriage with Arlene McCoy, of Kokomo. Indiana; on October 18, 1917. There are four children: Mrs. Norma Hooker, and Mrs. Kathryn Beaver, of Kokomo; David and Joyce at home. There are seven grandchildren. He loved his own devotedly. He served in the armed forces from 1917 to 1919 and served for years since in the reserve forces. He always bore a sense of keen sympathetic understanding toward all service personnel, his own loved ones having served in this most recent conflict. He served our community as a postal letter carrier for twenty-two years, and was loved and respected by patrons and his co-laborers. He always expressed a humble pride in his relationship to the men, and to the families of the men who were in this field as co-laborers. Three years ago yesterday, during a severe illness for him, both he and Mrs. Gunning found Christ as their Saviour. He with his family, become the most faithful type of Christians, very earnest and intelligent Students of God's Word, and Way of life. Walking with a firm tread of faith, they found God real to meet every need of life, both physical and spiritual. With strength of body given by God's touch, he, and they moved into realms of service for God. He bore a great burden for the salvation of men, and the personal evangelistic work of the Church depended upon his leadership. Friends from many homes of our city have brought their tribute of love for his ministry of Christian love in their homes. In almost more spots than can be mentioned, he helped his pastor. He has served in several places of responsibility, in Beamer Church, and was recording-treasurer of the building fund at the time of his Home-going. He was ready to meet Christ, and went to be with Him. His attitude of life as a Christian might well be expressed in one of the many poems he wrote. We have no way of knowing whether anyone besides the pastor and wife have ever seen this poem before, for he was very modest.
"Not I, But Jesus
If 'mid disheartening storm and strife.
By kindly thought or deed.
I. in my humble daily life
Should meet some soul's great need.
'Tis not I, but Jesus.
Should I. through God's Holy Word.
Bring truth and hope and light .
To one. who maybe has not heard,
Or some should gain new sight
Thru' me. 'tis Jesus.
Oh! God of mercy, accept my heart,
Send deep Thy peace within.
May thy great love cleanse every part,
Cast out all doubt and sin,
Leave only Jesus."
His son-in-law, John Beaver, recalled that Lea was a jovial guy who loved to go fishing.
On the outbreak of World War I, he entered the first officer's training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison and after being commissioned, served as an instructor at Camp Shelby and other training points with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was assigned to the Adjutant General Department, ORC, Indiana. He was a member of the American Legion and of Beamer Methodist Church. Gus stayed in reserves and worked his way up to major. He was ordered to duty and called in for world war 2; however, failed the physical.
Lea was a mail carrier from the Kokomo Post Office for more than twenty years, retiring from that service three years before his accidental death. His son-in-law, (John Beaver) recalled that a big dog followed Lea on his route to protect him from other dogs! The local newspaper reported that icy road conditions were the cause. His car veered off the road and crashed into a telephone pole three miles north of Morgan Street on the Ohio Street road. He died of a broken neck and death came suddenly with the impact, according to the coroner. The car, with a badly damaged radiator and his body in an upright position behind the driver's wheel, was discovered by a Wayne Moore, Kokomo Route 3, who was driving by the scene of the crash. Lea, apparently, had been driving south toward Kokomo. His daughter Kate recalled that her father had been hunting and there were rabbits in the car. His daughter was so traumatized that she went into early labor and had her son, David Lea Beaver, the next day. She was unable to attend her father's funeral.
Lea and his wife had three daughters and one son. His widow never remarried. He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Kokomo.
OBITUARY
Mr. Leo O. Gunning was born in Howard County. Indiana, into the home of Gusta E. and Ada O. Gunning, March 11. 1895. He went to be with his Lord on January 7, 1947. His parents and brother and sister have preceded him in death. He was united in marriage with Arlene McCoy, of Kokomo. Indiana; on October 18, 1917. There are four children: Mrs. Norma Hooker, and Mrs. Kathryn Beaver, of Kokomo; David and Joyce at home. There are seven grandchildren. He loved his own devotedly. He served in the armed forces from 1917 to 1919 and served for years since in the reserve forces. He always bore a sense of keen sympathetic understanding toward all service personnel, his own loved ones having served in this most recent conflict. He served our community as a postal letter carrier for twenty-two years, and was loved and respected by patrons and his co-laborers. He always expressed a humble pride in his relationship to the men, and to the families of the men who were in this field as co-laborers. Three years ago yesterday, during a severe illness for him, both he and Mrs. Gunning found Christ as their Saviour. He with his family, become the most faithful type of Christians, very earnest and intelligent Students of God's Word, and Way of life. Walking with a firm tread of faith, they found God real to meet every need of life, both physical and spiritual. With strength of body given by God's touch, he, and they moved into realms of service for God. He bore a great burden for the salvation of men, and the personal evangelistic work of the Church depended upon his leadership. Friends from many homes of our city have brought their tribute of love for his ministry of Christian love in their homes. In almost more spots than can be mentioned, he helped his pastor. He has served in several places of responsibility, in Beamer Church, and was recording-treasurer of the building fund at the time of his Home-going. He was ready to meet Christ, and went to be with Him. His attitude of life as a Christian might well be expressed in one of the many poems he wrote. We have no way of knowing whether anyone besides the pastor and wife have ever seen this poem before, for he was very modest.
"Not I, But Jesus
If 'mid disheartening storm and strife.
By kindly thought or deed.
I. in my humble daily life
Should meet some soul's great need.
'Tis not I, but Jesus.
Should I. through God's Holy Word.
Bring truth and hope and light .
To one. who maybe has not heard,
Or some should gain new sight
Thru' me. 'tis Jesus.
Oh! God of mercy, accept my heart,
Send deep Thy peace within.
May thy great love cleanse every part,
Cast out all doubt and sin,
Leave only Jesus."
