On July 22, 2024, Vera Alena Dunton, 83, joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She passed away peacefully in Shreveport, LA with her loving family by her side. As the only daughter of Marek Safr and Bertha Cerny, she was born August 7th, 1940 raised in a small town in Czechoslovakia.
In 1945 after WWII ended, she and her mother moved to the United States and settled in Medina, Ohio.
Coming from a different culture, she adapted well not only learning a second language but excelling as a young student. After graduating high school, Vera attended Ohio State University where she pursued a career in dental hygiene. Here is where she met her husband of over 60yrs, Robert Alan Dunton. The two were inseparable and shared many of the same passions including social and outdoor activities, travel and most important their time with family. Both were part of the university Greek system where Vera was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
In 1961, they married, and Vera left her dental hygiene career to become a full time mother. They started a family and were blessed to have 3 children Jeff, Steve and Laura. She was an amazing mother where she shared herself fully in all of their early childhood experiences, always feeling loved, safe and protected. She offered her home to everyone, a place where all were welcome. She was an avid reader, league bowler, and a card and scrabble enthusiast. Throughout everyone’s busy schedules, she insured that her family spent all holidays together along with their dogs Sammy and Lucy, and she continually stayed active with many organizations and charities.
After moving several times in the Ohio area as part of Bob’s early career at Libbey Glass, the family then moved to Shreveport, La in 1977. Eventually, she and Bob moved to Upland, CA, and then returned to Shreveport in 1990. Her husband retired in 2005, and it is during this time where she and Bob fully immersed themselves at Summer Grove Baptist Church. She enjoyed supporting her husband as deacon as well as cherishing their church family.Vera and Bob’s eternal devotion to each other continued to grow as Bob took on a bigger role as caretaker during her own health challenges.
She is survived by her children Jeffrey Alan Dunton (Dana), Steven Michael Dunton (Jill), Laura Elizabeth McWhiney, grandchildren Kacie Vosbury Hollis (Walt), Danielle Elizabeth McWhiney, Brittany Elizabeth Dunton (Louie Kachulis), Stephanie Marie Cauble (Neal), Evan Robert Marshall Dunton.She is also survived by her great grandchildren and dear friends. Vera was preceded in death by her husband Robert Alan Dunton, her parents Marek and Bertha Safr.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 27 2024 at from 10:00am – 11:00am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home at 8801 Mansfield Rd in Shreveport, La 71108.A gravesite service will follow at 11:30am at Forest Park East Cemetery at 3700 St Vincent Avenue in Shreveport, LA 71103 with pastor Murry Hodge officiating.Honoring the family will be Ammer Gayle Whatley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, St Judes and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
