Michael R. Walton Obituary (1948 - 2015)

Michael R. Walton, 66, of Bloomington, peacefully went home to be with his Lord at 3:52 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at his home, with his family by his side.His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2015 at St. Luke Union Church, Bloomington, with Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the church. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with cremation arrangements.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Luke Union Church Building Fund.He was born June 27, 1948 in Beardstown, Illinois a son of Albert and Marcella Bowman Walton. He married Linda Lin Shanks on November 22, 1969 at the Bethany United Church of Christ in Tioga, Illinois. She survives in Bloomington. Also surviving are a daughter, Leigh Anne (Kevin) Adkins of Danville; a son, Chad Walton of Bowie, Maryland; two grandchildren, Christopher Adkins and Kaitlin Adkins; a sister, Judy Nielsen of Eldridge, Iowa; a nephew, Brian (Staci) Nielsen of Davenport, Iowa; and a niece, Holly (Barry) Shaw of Eldridge, Iowa.He was preceded in death by his parents and his parents-in-law, Gene and Opal Shanks.Mike served with the U.S. Army in Germany during the Vietnam War. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1966, Western Illinois University in 1970 and earned masters degree at Illinois State University. Mike was two credits shy of earning his doctoral degree. He taught for thirty-five years and retired from the Area Vocational Center at Bloomington High School. Mike was honored among our nations most respected teachers in the Whos Who of American Teachers in 2002. After retiring, he enjoyed the time he spent designing kitchens at Lowes. rnrnMike was a member of the Catlin Lions Club, where he held various offices over the years and was a long-time member of the Illinois Association of Electricity Electronics Educators (I.A.E.E.E.). He was also a member of St. Luke Union Church in Bloomington where he served on several boards and committees, including the Building Committee. rnrnMike loved teaching, woodworking and cabinet-making. He had a passion for people, a terrific sense of humor and a reputation as a jokester.His grandchildren were the light of his life and he will be remembered as a great father, a terrific husband, a dear grandpa and a loving man.To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com