Lon Walker
1936 - 2019
Obituary
Lon William Walker, 83, died Thursday
(Oct. 31, 2019) at Kansas Christian Home.
He was born on Jan. 26, 1936, in Ponca
City, Oklahoma, the son of Ralph William and Marion Christina Travis
Walker. The family later moved to Wichita where he grew up in what is
now the Delano District where he and his brothers roamed the
neighborhood. After graduating Wichita West High School, he served a
short time in the U.S. Army.
Lon married Janice Kerns on Feb. 13,
1958, in Wichita. She died on Aug. 13, 1985. He later married Barbara
J. Weesner Schirer on Aug. 1, 1986, in McPherson.
From May 13, 1963, to Oct 3, 1997, Lon
Walker served his community first as a surveyor and working his way
up to Director of Public Works and interim City Manager. He worked
hard for the betterment of the community even when change wasn't
popular. He was very involved in the original bike path plans, which
were very controversial but today are beloved. He supported
remodeling of the municipal pool, the moving of city hall to its
current location and the beginnings of the outlet mall.
Lon loved to travel, driving to the
tulip festival in Iowa, through Colorado and Utah. He and Barb
searched through many states for covered bridges and were quite happy
behind a camera. The two wintered in Port Aransas, Texas, for over a
decade. Lon was a good story teller, and though they were repeats,
laughter always followed. Lon and Barb enjoyed the bleachers of many
a gym, watching a grandson play basketball from kindergarten through
college.
He was a longtime member of the Newton
Masonic Lodge, Midian Shrine in Wichita, Harvey County Shrine Club,
Harvey County Hobos and was a mentor to his grandson who would join
the Masonic Lodge. Lon was also a member of the American Legion and
Sons of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara of
the home in Newton; sons, Brian Walker and wife Barbara of North
Newton and Mike Walker and wife Terri of Goessel; stepchildren:
Teresa and Kevin Jones of Shawnee, Mike and Dorcas Schirer of
Farmington, New Mexico, Tony and Julie Schirer of Cheyenne, Wyoming,
and Angela and Kevin Feleay of Topeka; brothers, Larry Edgar Walker
of Udall and Steve Leonard Walker of Longmont, Colorado; 14
grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Along with his first wife, Janice, Lon
is preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside services and interment will
be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 6, 2019) at the Greenwood Cemetery
in Newton. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 5, 2019)
at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, where the family will receive
friends between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
A memorial has been established with
the . Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home,
120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be sent to
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
