Gary L. Walters

Gary Lee Walters, age 77 of Elizabeth, Illinois died peacefully at home with his wife by his side on Saturday, September 8, 2018, watching the Cubs game. Cremation Rites will be accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 15, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth. A memorial gathering will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the service at the church. Military rites will be held following the service. Memorials may be given to FHN Hospice or Safe Haven Humane Society in Gary’s memory.

Gary was born on December 19, 1940, the son of Kermit and Irene (Leitzen) Walters in Freeport, Illinois. He attended Elizabeth High School and graduated with the Class of 1959. He married Eunice L. Bohnhoff on August 1, 1964 in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth.

After graduation, Gary proudly enlisted in the United States Army from 1963-1965, serving in Korea. He also owned and operated Walters Electric in Elizabeth for twenty-five years. In 1986, Gary began his career with the Department of Defense: Robotic Engineering Division. He was stationed all across the country from the Savanna Army Depot to Tooele Army Depot in Utah, Red River Army Depot in Texas, and Fort Sill in Oklahoma. In 1991, Gary served his country during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. In 2000, he was also stationed for 10 months in Germany. Gary served his country for a total of twenty years, before retiring in 2003. Gary cherished his community and served on the Elizabeth Fire Department, Elizabeth Lions Club, and on St. Mary’s Catholic Church council. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed reading, antique cars, and watching his beloved Chicago Cubs.

Gary will be dearly missed by his wife, Eunice of Elizabeth; one daughter, Dena (David) Brown of Elizabeth; two grandchildren, Taylor and Connor Brown; and one bother, Ronald (Janice) Walters of Springville, California. He was preceded in death by his father, Kermit Walters; his mother and stepfather, Irene and LeRoy Becker; and one brother, Randall Walters.

The family would also like to sincerely thank Dr. Caceres; his nurse, Jackie; Dr. Vandigo and the staff of FHN Hospice (especially Jeff, Lindsey, Haley and Yolanda) for all the loving care provided to Gary.