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George Walden Obituary
George McArthur Walden
April 14, 1942 - March 30, 2024
BLOOMINGTON - George McArthur Walden, 81, of Bloomington, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 6:14 AM at McLean County Nursing Home in Normal.
There will be a funeral for George held at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Chaplain Ellen Anderson will officiate. The visitation will be Monday, April 8, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Memorial Home. The burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington.
George was born April 14, 1942, in Bloomington to Thomas and Betty Albertson Walden. He married Mary Lee Robbins on June 24, 1962, in Normal. She survives.
George is also survived by one son, Jeff (Pam) Walden of Bloomington; two grandsons: Mike (Layna) Walden, and Mitch (Riley) Walden; and two bonus grandchildren: Charles (Patricia) Lesser and Maggie (Josh Leskanich) Lesser, children of Ron and Deb Lesser. Also surviving are two brothers: James Walden of Bloomington, and Kenneth Walden of Poplar Bluff, MO. He was preceded in death by four sisters: Dorothy Walden, Barb Tervin, Patricia Loughary, and Mary Klink; four brothers: Richard, Wayne, Bill, and Mike Walden; and two half-brothers: Calvin and Bobbie.
He retired in 1990, after twenty years with the Town of Normal where he served as both Assistant Public Works Director and later retired as Housing Inspector. He also owned and operated George's Phillips 66 in Normal for three years. George was the Athletics Ticket Manager at Illinois Wesleyan University for twenty-nine years and at Illinois State University for thirty-two years.
In 1990, he was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Town of Normal. He also received the Stretch Miller Award from the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. For ten years, George served as the Commissioner of the Airport Authority at Bloomington Regional Airport. He was past president of the Normal Chapter of the Optimist Club and was awarded Optimist of the Year two different times. He also served as the State Lieutenant Governor for the Illinois Optimist Club. George was involved in Bloomington Rotary Club and was on the Board of Directors at Rebekah and Odd Fellows Home in Mattoon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Online condolences may be left at www.calvertmemorial.com.
Memories and Condolences
for George Walden
Sponsored by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home Bloomington Chapel.
5 Entries
Tom Barger
April 4, 2024
It has been my pleasure to know George and his family for more than 50 years. He has always been a genuine, upbeat person who always had good things to say. And he could fix anything!! My prayers are with Mary and Jeff, knowing that they will have many wonderful memories to sustain them going forward. Tom Barger
Riley Cross
April 3, 2024
George was one of the smiliest faces to see on IWU´s campus, especially the shirk center! I remember meeting him at my first visit before committing to play volleyball for the titans; he even found a way to get me my own shirt! He will be deeply missed.
Kevin, Cris, & AJ Lust
April 3, 2024
One of the genuine highlights of our son's four years of Fighting Titan Football was visiting with George at every (but one) home game. It was our genuine pleasure to get to know him.
Deborah Gilliam Apps
April 3, 2024
Many good memories and thanks to George. I worked for him at ISU events and County Fair. He was a good man.
Patti Geske
April 3, 2024
I had the good fortune of knowing George. He was always smiling and had a tremendous attitude. My prayers are with the family.
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Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home Bloomington Chapel1115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
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