Lawrence M. "Lon" Walheim Jr.

1923 - 2016

Lawrence M. "Lon" Walheim Jr. obituary, 1923-2016, Visalia, CA

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Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel

425 N Kaweah Avenue

Exeter, California

Lawrence Walheim Obituary

Lawrence M. "Lon" Walheim Jr.

December 31, 1923 - July 23, 2016

Visalia

Lawrence M. Walheim Jr. (Lon) passed away on Saturday, July 23rd at the age of 92 He was born in Woodlawn, Pennsylvania on December 31, 1923 and grew up in Asbury Park NJ., attending Asbury Park High School. Lon joined the Army Air Corp in 1943 and served as a pilot. World War II ended before he was sent into combat. After the war he attended Middlebury College in Vermont and began a life-long love of skiing. He continued his education at University of Washington. In the late 40's he moved to San Francisco and met his wife-to-be, Avis Bentz. They had 5 children. The family lived in Belmont CA. while Lon worked as a salesman for Winter Brothers Company, an industrial tool manufacturer based in Rochester MI. During that time he served in the California Air National Guard and continued his studies at San Francisco State, including taking classes from future U.S senator, S.I. Hayakawa.

In the 1964, the Walheim family moved to Bloomfield Hills, MI where Lon worked as Sales Manager for Winter Brothers. There his love of antiques flourished and he became particularly interested in repairing antique clock. In 1972, the Waldheim's moved to San Carlos. CA where Lon eventually founded L.M. Walheim & Associates, which represented a number of large industrial tool and supply manufacturers. After retirement and the death of his wife Avis, Lon moved to Sacramento and focused on his love of collecting and repairing antique clocks. Known as the "Clock Man", he collected and repaired clocks throughout Northern California. In 2003, Lon moved to Exeter, CA to be closer to his oldest son, Lance. In 2008, he moved to Quail Park Assisted Living and in 2013, on to the Quail Park Memory Center, where he was lovingly cared for by the wonderful staff until his death.

Lon was an adventurous spirit, intellectually curious and loved nothing better than a challenging conversation, especially around the dinner table at the many holiday celebrations spent with family. He loved to travel, visiting China, India and Nepal on his own after Avis died.

Lon's youngest son Rex is an astronaut, who has flown on 3 Space Shuttle missions and conducted 5 space walks from the International Space Station. Lon witnessed all three launches and cherished the time spent in Florida with over 100 family members and friends who also attended.

Lon is preceded in death by his wife Avis and close companion Redetta Sasson. He is survived by his son Lance, his wife Laura and their daughters, Ashley and Teale (married to Alex); son Mark and his wife Sandy; son Curt and wife Meredith; son Rex, his wife Margie and their two sons, Alex and Jeffrey; his daughter Karen; and Paulina Leedom, his loving companion.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Sky Lawn Memorial Park in San Mateo. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or Kaweah Delta Hospice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansmillerguinnchapel.com. Services entrusted to Evans Miller Guinn Chapel.

Published by Tulare Advance-Register & Visalia Times-Delta on Jul. 29, 2016.
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4 Entries

Dick Philpot

September 18, 2016

Once or perhaps twice in a lifetime, if you're lucky, you meet a truly ORIGINAL person; the type of person who is unforgettable. I was lucky enough to be related to such a person. I'm talking about my cousin Lonnie. Lonnie was the 1st grandchild of Luke and Sarah Walheim, and I was the last. Although I didn't see him as I was growing up, (Lonnie was a 17 year old when I was born), I knew about him, and the 4 other children of Uncle Lonnie's and Aunt June's wonderful family. News of young Lonnie, Lois, Jimmy, Margie and Sally was updated via Aunt June's letters to Grandma Walheim and my mother Vinzinz. When a letter arrived its contents became the focus of that weeks Sunday evening discussion at Grandma's house.
As a child, these letters seemed magical. They connected us to members of our family, who we loved and cherished, and seldom saw. Even though these Walheims lived far away in a mysterious place called Asbury Park we were one.
Through the years I meet 4 of my New Jersey cousins but never meet young Lonnie.

I was about 20 when I first meet him. He was travelling east on business. What a thrill it was to finally meet him, the one I had heard so much about, and he didn't disappoint. He was fully present and in the moment. He had a 10000watt smile and looked directly into my eyes while speaking to me. His eyes were really so blue.
He answered questions about what was happening in his life and wanted to know what was going on in mine and the other PA relatives. And he LISTENED to the answers. He had a vocabulary of a poet. These first impressions were only reinforced through the years. I remember during one of his PA visits he started reciting poetry relevant to the topic at hand. Yep, just out of his brain he summoned the lines, and recited them. Oh how I loved seeing him, listening to him and being with him.

The best of my times with him were during the lift offs because we actually had extended time together. I meet his beautiful family, Lance, Laura, Ashley, Teale Mark, Sandy, Karen, Curt, Meredith, Marge, Alex, and Jeffrey (Rex was busy somewhere else hahaha.) And I meet his closest friends. What a thrill these experiences were. He created the most memorable Walheim reunions by inviting the clan, and throwing the best parties ever!! He loved his family with a passion and that included peripheral family like me, my husband Ken, and my daughters Allison and Alexis.

Our family flyboy has always been a hero to me. I will never say goodbye to Lonnie, I will continue to consult him in my heart.

I love you my precious cousin! Monica

Monica Lutz

August 2, 2016

Rick Lyster

July 29, 2016

Lon was a charming man. I met him through my friend Laura Walheim. He gave me one of his clocks which hangs in my office and I will always remember the lessons he gave me on its upkeep. I have the memory of his smile when he would come to visit. Rest in Peace, Lon.

Rosemary Montero

July 29, 2016

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