Vonda comes to her last Democrat dinner
By Bob Weaver
Vonda Gunn, well-known educator and former chairperson of the Calhoun County
Democratic Executive Committee, has died at age 82. The Mount Zion resident
passed away Thursday evening, November 28, at Camden-Clark Hospital in
Parkersburg after struggling with cancer.
Vonda was a former Calhoun school teacher and retired employee of the Calhoun
Board of Education. She was the longtime chairperson of the Mt. Zion Community
Park and a member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, helping her husband
Donald Gunn in the store business at Mt. Zion for many years.
Besides being active in community affairs, Vonda was known for her involvement in
the Democrat party, enjoying political life.
Over the years, every time I spoke with Gov. Bob Wise, he would say "Say, hello to
Vonda." She was well acquainted with Wise during his Congressional career, and
said "I really wanted him to stay in Congress. He did such good work."
Vonda once said "Politics in Calhoun County would have been better if there had
been a strong two-party system," referring to factions of the Democrat Party unable
to see eye-to-eye. She was known for "speaking her mind," which some viewed as an
admirable trait. I felt her forthrightness was admirable.
She was a trooper, showing up at the last Democrat dinner at Arnoldsburg just before
the general election. "Still movin'," she said, having driven herself to the event.
Born on Yellow Creek, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Etta Haught
Holpp.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; son, Donald Poe Gunn; sister Fern Weaver
and brother Lewis Holpp of Parkersburg, and her much loved granddaughter, Dayna Lynn.
Funeral arrangements are being completed at Stump Funeral Home in
Grantsville.
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