5/5/06 — Laddie Owen Walker, 88, of 22283 Blooming Valley Road, Meadville, died Thursday, May 4, 2006 at Crawford County Care Center, Saegertown.
He was born in Guys Mills July 13, 1917, a son of Brice and Clara Huber Walker. He married Helen Ruth Graham Sept. 29, 1937, and she preceded him in death Feb. 13, 2006.
He was owner and operator of Walker Construction Co., retiring in 2004 after 57 years of work.
He was a veteran of World War II with the U.S. Marine Corps, and a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart, serving in the South Pacific. He was a member of Aurel Bachiak Marine Corps League. He was a member of Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, sang in the church choir, and was an adult Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and past chairman of the Administrative Board and Building Committee. He was a member of West Mead 2 Volunteer Fire Department and a past member of Blooming Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge 408 and served as worshipful master in 1966 and 1981, member of Sharon Council 48, Royal and Select Master Masons and past thrice illustrious master in 1954, member of Mount Olivet Commandary 30, Knights Templar and past commander in 1956, member of Mound Royal Arch Chapter 212 and past high priest in 1962, member of Peninsula 87, Allied Masonic Degrees of USA and past sovereign-master in 1983, member of St. John Conclave Red Cross of Constantine and past sovereign in 1994, member of Gateway to the West Council 5 Knights Masonic, member of Knights of the York Cross of Honour (Penn Priory 6 and Keystone Priory 26), member of Rosicrutions (SRICS) and member of Golden Triangle York Rite College 32 of Pittsburgh.
He also enjoyed hunting, pruning and grafting trees, playing cards, pressing apples for cider and growing cantaloupe. He loved designing and constructing wood structures, dancing, spending time with family, and living unselfishly.
Survivors include four daughters, Lois R. Duvé and her husband, G. Kent, of Sarver, Jane G. Walker of Atherton, Calif., Kaye G. Dryden of Meadville, and Dana G. Ruttenberg and her husband, Mark, of Conneaut Lake; two sons, Paul O. Walker and his wife, Kathy, of Warren, and Lynn A. Walker and his wife, Marsha, of Meadville; nine grandchildren, Shawn O. Walker and his wife, Suzanne, Erin D. Walker and his wife, Stephanie, Grant D. Willison, Clark G. Willison, Kate W. Willison, Daron A. Willison, McKenzie L. Walker, Rhue A. Walker and Brent L. Ruttenberg; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren M. Walker, Irulan T. Walker and Ryan D. Walker.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Hubert, Maurice, Norman and Wayne Walker; and one sister, Clarice Houser.
Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville, with a Masonic service at 6:30 p.m.
The funeral will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, State Street, Blooming Valley.
Burial, with military honors provided by Aurel Bachiak Marine Corps League, will be in Blooming Valley Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Blooming Valley United Methodist Church, 24740 State St.; or the Meadville Area Masonic Center Building Fund, 17112 Parkview Drive, both of Meadville, Pa. 16335.
