Uncle Walter

On December 30, 2015, my Uncle Walter died at age 91. He was the second youngest of eight kids (my dad being the youngest).  I remember him visiting us out at my parents' place in Lake Wilderness, Washington, when he was a spry octogenarian. He harvested maple syrup from the woods on his Pennsylvania property until he was in his mid-80s and distributed mason jars of the stuff to his relatives, of which I have been the grateful recipient.  He said making maple syrup "kept him out of trouble." Always self-effacing, he was a gentle soul.  

His obituary in the Erie Times-News is reprinted below.  RIP, Uncle Walter.

Walter Earl King

Walter Earl King, age 91, resident of Waterford and originally from McLane in Edinboro, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at Independence Court in Erie. He was born September 8, 1924, one of eight children of John and Alice Compton King. 

Walter grew up in McLane and graduated from Edinboro Schools. He then entered the United States Army Air Corps and served in Germany during World War II. Walter was a hard worker, and spent most of his years working in an iron foundry, retiring in 1991 from Fairview Castings. He loved the outdoors and working in the woods, and was cutting firewood until his age of 90. He enjoyed making maple syrup and was proud that he built his own house for his family. Walter had a great sense of responsibility and loved his family, evidenced by the love and care he gave to his late wife and his widowed sisters. 

Walter's wife, Anna Marie Delfft, preceded him in death in 1994, and he was also preceded by a grandson, Adam Neiswonger, and four siblings - Gordon, Iva, Anna, and Red.

His surviving family includes three daughters - Gloria O'Handley, Jan Russell, and Judy Fink and husband Dennis, all of Waterford, and a son, Tom King and his husband Alan of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren - April, Doug, Heather, and Roxanne; ten great-grandchildren; and three siblings - Elma Dascanio, Jessie Huber, and Roger King and his wife Mary.

Friends may visit with the family at Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford, on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at which time a memorial service with military honors will be observed. Burial will be in Erie County Memorial Gardens.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/erietimesnews/obituary-print.aspx?n=walter-earl-king&pid=177109796