MIDDLESBORO — Edward Lee Hunter, age 89, of Middlesboro passed away Friday, June 10, 2011, at the Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital.

He was born June 7, 1922 at Fonde, Ky., the son of the late Oscar L. and Bessie Mae Cadle Hunter. Ed served in the United States Army for three years, and proudly served during World War II. He was a well known building contractor who built over 100 homes. He was in the original recording,

Playing the harmonica, in the “House Of The Rising Sun” in 1937 in Middlesboro.

Ed married his childhood sweetheart, Gretchen Ruth Russell, (who resides at Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Center), in 1944, and together they raised six children and spent their entire life in Middlesboro. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death is a daughter, Janice Faye Hunter in 1955, a son, Edward Lee Hunter, Jr. in 1991, sons-in-law; Rufus Overbay and Jerry Dean Martin; sisters: Hazel Lowe, Middlesboro, and Ruby Cinnamon Powers, Speedwell, Tenn.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth Hunter; daughters: Madeline (Jim) Boyce, Westland, Mich., Joanne Martin, Middlesboro, Phyllis Overbay, Fort Wayne, Ind., Evelyn Hunter, Middlesboro; one sister; Lorine (Marvin) Gulley, 11 grandchildren: Kimberly Conard, Benjaman Manier, Rhonda Banboukian, Cynthia Walblay, Dena Faulkner, Jennifer Adkins, Julie Gregory, David King, Michael King, Chris Overbay, Jackie Lynn Overbay; 16 great-grandchildren: Jeffrey Crampton, Ashley Papo, Heather Manier, Alexis Preski, Travis Faulkner, Jessica Gregory, Genesis and Lauren Adkins, Andrea King, Matthew King, Kayla King, Brittany King, Brad King, Brooke King, Morgan Overbay, Meagan Overbay, three great-great-grandchildren: Riley Papo, Cooper Ryan Gunther, and Alexis Joanne Faulkner.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at Shumate Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Murphy Buell and Rev. David King officiating. Music will be provided by the Hensley Chapel Baptist Church Choir. Pallbearers will be David King, Michael King, Chris Overbay, Jim Boyce, Benny Manier, and Travis Faulkner. Burial will follow the service at the Yeary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, at Shumate Funeral Home Chapel.