Richard M. Peery Plain Dealer Reporter
© 2003 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.

Litchfield Township - John Hunter, 40, whose campaign for benefits after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease prompted the Social Security Administration to change its rules and give coverage to anyone with the ailment, died Tuesday at his home in Litchfield.

He learned in May 2002 that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an untreatable degeneration of the central nervous system that killed baseball great Lou Gehrig. After Hunter was told that he could still work and was not eligible for Social Security, his challenge of the decision enlisted the support of WEWS Channel 5's television reporter Duane Pohlman.

Hunter went to Washington and lobbied members of Congress to streamline the approval process. After the Channel 5 publicity brought the issue to the agency's attention, Social Security officials said they would automatically give coverage to anyone diagnosed with ALS.

Hunter was born in Cleveland and reared in Strongsville and Berea. He attended Lake Ridge Academy and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before he received a degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1986. He worked for Suburban Contractors in Medina.

He and his wife, Jonna, enjoyed renovating their home in Litchfield Township.

Hunter is also survived by a daughter, Victoria Lynne; a son, Jace Elliot; his mother, Emily; a brother; and a sister.

Hunter's family has asked that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation should direct their gift to "The John Hunter Fund," at National City Bank, 6663 Center Road, Valley City, OH 44280.

Funds will go toward support and care of families living with Lou Gehrig's disease.

More on this story from the Ride for Life ALS News Center:

Couple helped ALS patients receive SSI benefits sooner

New Social Security disability rules for ALS patients explained