Gertha I Walker

Private family graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in Mound Cemetery, Cowden, IL. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

Gertha was born on January 5, 1922 in Herman, MO, the daughter of Arthur Pierce and Martha Hesse Watson. She worked in nursing homes in Pana and Shelbyville for many years. Following her retirement, she worked in the school cafeterias for the Shelbyville Community Unit School District. Gertha was a member of the Cowden First Christian Church and Shelby County Senior Citizens. She married Joseph Ross Walker on November 22, 1941 in Herman, MO. He died on February 23, 1974.

She is survived by her children, Leonard Earl Walker (Karen) of Tower Hill, IL, Judith Eileen Atkinson (Donnie) of Taylorville, IL, Larry H Walker (Rose) of Shelbyville, IL, Carol Lynn Rentfro of Bells, TN, and Joseph Arthur Walker of Sullivan, IL; sisters, Nancy Pearl Robertson of Herrick, IL and Irma Durbin of Pana, IL: grandchildren, Leonard Eugene Walker, Lyle Eric Walker, William Charles Martz II (Jennifer), Robert Matthew Martz (Kelly), Tonya Sue Bowsher (Doug), Kristie Ann Fulton (Thomas), Lisa Mae Hellman (Kevin), Monica Kay Dillon, Casey Elizabeth Tipton (Jonathan) and Gary Walker; and many great and great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph Ross Walker; daughter, Shirley Mae Wiandt; son-in-law, Roger Dale Rentfro; brothers, Thomas Hessie, Calvin Watson, Gene Watson and Arthur Watson; sisters, Naomi Barr and Lou Renfro; grandsons, Paul Leland Walker, Stanley Woodrow Rentfro, Todd Allan Wiandt and Michael Ross Walker; and great granddaughter Ariel Martz.

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