Elton A. Gunden

Elton A. Gunden, 86, of Naples, Florida, died Tuesday afternoon, September 4, 2007, at Hospice of Naples. He was born in Flannigan, Illinois, on June 8, 1921, to Christian J. and Agnes (Albrecht) Gunden.  He married Marjorie Nafziger on August 2, 1947 in Hopedale, Illinois.  She survives. A 1939 graduate of Goshen High School, Mr. Gunden also graduated from Goshen College in 1947 and he received a master’s degree from Indiana University in 1969.  A retired school teacher, he taught at Concord, Osolo, OxBow and Model Elementary Schools.  He moved to Florida in 1969 and continued teaching until 1986. Mr. Gunden was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; three daughters, Rebecca (Stephen) Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, Barbara (Everett) Thomas of Goshen, and Carol Gunden of Winston Salem, North Carolina; a son, Steven (Debbie) Gunden of Naples; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Doris (Carl) Metzler and Ruth Gunden, both of Goshen; and a brother, Donald (Elsie) Gunden of Myerstown, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Elva Huneryager and Lois Clemens; and three brothers, Orville, Cleland and Ralph Gunden. Friends will be received 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 7, at the funeral home.   A 9:00 a.m. prayer service will be held on Saturday morning at the funeral home, followed by burial in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. A memorial service will be conducted at College Mennonite Church on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at 10:30 a.m.  Rev. Klaudia Smucker  will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gunden Trust of Goshen College.