Henry Judson Walter

Henry Judson Walter died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in Sidney, Ohio, in his Dorothy Love Retirement Community apartment, surrounded by his children.

Henry was born Nov. 21, 1921 in a small house on the corner of South Defiance and Beech Streets, in Archbold, Ohio. Henry was baptized into eternal life at his confirmation April 14, 1935 in the Evangelical Reformed Church across the street from his birth house.

His family moved north several houses, and Henry grew up in the old "Walter House," which had been his grandparents' home. Graduating from Archbold High School in 1939, Henry worked at Stotzer's Hardware until he joined the United States Army, June 15, 1940.

When he was a young US soldier stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky., Henry sent his marriage proposal and an engagement ring through the US mail to his sweetheart, who would become his beloved wife, Margaret Mary Gerken, of Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. They were married Aug. 6, 1943.

As a young soldier in the US Army, Henry spent three months as a private and two years as a sergeant with a medium tank crew, first as an instructor at Camp Campbell Ky., and then as a tank commander in "A" Company with Patton's 20th Armored Division, Seventh Army on the front in the Central European Campaign, at the final battle for Munich, May, 1945, and received his Honorable Discharge Sept. 12, 1945.

During his service to the United States, Henry was awarded the EAME Theater Ribbon with Bronze Star, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the American Defense Service Medal. He was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years.

After WWII ended, Henry and his wife settled on Wilson Street, Archbold, Ohio, where they built their first house in 1947, to raise their family. Henry worked as a brick mason and served two terms on the Board of Public Affairs. It was in this service that Henry became interested in waste water treatment and so, completing his training and education in the field, began his long and distinguished career.

Henry worked for the Village of Archbold from 1960-66, moving the family to Sidney, Ohio, where he worked for the city as Superintendent of Waste Water Treatment for 18 years, becoming an instructor, and assisting in the design and building of area treatment plants and retiring Dec. 30, 1983. During his career, Henry was honored with the Dean Stewart Award for Distinguished Service in 1982.

Blessed with five children, Margaret Ann Nagel (husband Kenny), Mary Beth Starrett (husband Bill), John Russell (wife Marcy), Paul Edgar (wife Joellen), and Phillip Henry (wife Nancy), Henry and Margaret enjoyed many years of retirement living together, always active in their beloved church, St. John Lutheran, traveling, enjoying their place at Hickory Hills Lake, attending Company A Reunions throughout the US, watching their children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren grow and prosper, and enjoying the second home they had built together in Sidney.

In his last years, Henry moved to an apartment at Dorothy Love Retirement Community, where he lived a wonderful life with many friends old and new.

Henry was an avid Ohio State fan and especially loved the football and basketball teams and the OSU Marching Band. Go Bucks!

Henry is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Margaret; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Walter, Sr.; a sister, Helen; and grandchildren, Stacey Lynn Walter and Jake Deerhake.

He is survived by many people who love him and are devoted to his memory: his five children; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard (wife Lois); a sister, Rachel Wolf Matthews (husband Randy); nieces and nephews; many Dorothy Love friends; and Company A buddies.

A memorial service at the Amos Chapel at Dorothy Love Retirement Community, 2500 N Kuther Road, Sidney, was held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. A memorial dinner was provided directly after the service, at noon in the Amos Center of the Dorothy Love Retirement Community.

Memorial donations may be made to Dorothy Love Retirement Community Life Care Fund, or Saint John's Lutheran Church of Sidney, or Wilson Memorial Hospice of Sidney.