Walter C. Joseph

A Celebration of Life Service for Walter C. Joseph, 81, of Aledo, will be held on Friday, October 6, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the Aledo United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Aledo Cemetery, with Military Honors conducted by Mercer County VFW Post #1571. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3 to 7 PM at Speer Funeral Home, with Masonic Services held at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Mercer County Nursing Home or the Aledo United Methodist Church. Walter died on Monday, October 2, 2006 at the Mercer County Nursing Home. Walter was born on January 4, 1925 in Brunswick, Missouri to Walter C. & Maude F. (Brown) Joseph, Sr. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Parkinson on February 16, 1949 at the Aledo United Methodist Church. Walter was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served on the USS Honolulu in the Pacific Theatre. He served his country from 1942 – 1945 and upon returning home began farming near Aledo, retiring in 1990. Walter was a Christian and a member of the United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Buffalo Prairie Masonic Lodge #679, of which he was Past Master; a member of the Scottish Rite, Moline; a lifetime member of the Mercer County VFW, Post #1571; and had served as Mercer Township Supervisor for many years. Walter is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children and their spouses: Drucilla L. & Brian Kelly of Peoria and William & Molly Joseph of Aledo; a brother, Eugene Joseph of Tubac, AZ; a sister, Velva Mayhew of Aledo; 5 grandchildren and spouses: Christian E. & Debbie Meister of Bloomington; Nicklaus R. Hussong of Orland Hills, IL; Joshua Walter & Michele Joseph and Miriam K. & Andrew Sims all of Peoria; Jessie A. & Jayson Thomson of Seaton and 3 great-grandchildren lovingly expected. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Duane and sisters, Rosalie Walters, Donna Cornwall and Bernadine Vearier.