Jonathan W.S. "Jon" Gunter, 21, of West Bend, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 in Polk County, Des Moines, Iowa, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

He was born Oct. 30, 1979, in Rhinelander, to A. Scott and Valerie (nee Stone) Gunter, and was raised in Tomahawk until the age of 5 when the family moved to Wauwatosa and later to Sterling, Colo.

He moved to West Bend with his family in 1988 where he attended Green Tree Elementary School, Silverbrook Middle School and graduated from West Bend East High School in 1998.

Jon was employed at Tennies Hardware in West Bend.

He continued his education at MATC in Mequon where he received his associate degree in tool and die.

Jon was employed at Willer Tool and Die of Jackson. He had moved to Laramie, Wyo. where he was going to receive helicopter training for search and rescue.

Jon loved outdoor sports, including snowboarding, fishing, hiking and off-roading, and a deep love for wolves.

Survivors include his parents, A. Scott Gunter of West Bend and Valerie Gunter of West Bend; a sister, Heather Gunter (Sam Martin and his son Tyler) of Great Falls, Mont.; a brother, David (Elizabeth) Figge of Burnsville, Minn.; a nephew, Jack Figge; maternal grandparents, Sidney and Lilian Stone of Freeport, Ill.; paternal grandmother, Virginia Gunter of West Bend; aunts; uncles; cousins; great uncles; other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death was his grandfather, Alvin Gunter.

He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church of West Bend, Eagle Scout with Troop 762 of West Bend and the Boy Scouts of America.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church of West Bend.

Pastor Oscar H. Kraft will officiate, and cremation will take place at Parkview Cremations of Fond du Lac.

Visitation at the church only will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials are appreciated.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family.