John Marion Walker, 92, peacefully passed away at home in Lombard, Illinois, on Saturday, December 20, 2025. John's wife, Marsha, was near his side.
John was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on November 20, 1933. His parents were Iris Thompson Walker of Edinburgh and Marion Walker, a citizen of the United States. John grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois, graduating from East St Louis High School. Later, John graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Science while working full-time at the United States Treasury department, Internal Revenue Service - a career that spanned 35 years before retirement.
John proudly served our country during the Korean War where he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed overseas in the Pacific. He loved all things musical and was a talented singer and violin player. He also taught himself the ukulele, organ, and finally, the bagpipes during his seventh decade. John became involved in the Shriner's Highlanders where he was Secretary and where he taught new members the pipes. The Highlanders gave John much enjoyment and camaraderie. John was also an avid Bears fan after many a football discussion with his son, son-in-law, and grandsons (in-law).
John and his wife, Marsha, were lifetime partners. They started going steady when John was 16 and Marsha was 14 and married two years later after they both graduated high school. They were married for over 73 years of which 58 years were spent on Allen Avenue in West Chicago, Illinois.
Most of all, John was Poppa of our family consisting of his wife, Marsha Joan Walker, his children: Jim (Lorri) Walker, Donna (Rich) Rumple, Diana Walker (Solnes) and Bill Knab, his grandchildren: Jennifer (Dave) Gerding, Jeff Solnes, Scott Rumple, Doug (Hannah) Rumple, Katie Walker, Kelly (Alex) Jelinek, and his great grandchildren: Sienna, Cadence, and Autumn Gerding, Asher and Pierce Solnes, and Arthur and Liam Rumple. John is also survived by his two brothers: Murray (Carol) Walker and Bill Walker.
John was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on November 20, 1933. His parents were Iris Thompson Walker of Edinburgh and Marion Walker, a citizen of the United States. John grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois, graduating from East St Louis High School. Later, John graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Science while working full-time at the United States Treasury department, Internal Revenue Service - a career that spanned 35 years before retirement.
John proudly served our country during the Korean War where he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed overseas in the Pacific. He loved all things musical and was a talented singer and violin player. He also taught himself the ukulele, organ, and finally, the bagpipes during his seventh decade. John became involved in the Shriner's Highlanders where he was Secretary and where he taught new members the pipes. The Highlanders gave John much enjoyment and camaraderie. John was also an avid Bears fan after many a football discussion with his son, son-in-law, and grandsons (in-law).
John and his wife, Marsha, were lifetime partners. They started going steady when John was 16 and Marsha was 14 and married two years later after they both graduated high school. They were married for over 73 years of which 58 years were spent on Allen Avenue in West Chicago, Illinois.
Most of all, John was Poppa of our family consisting of his wife, Marsha Joan Walker, his children: Jim (Lorri) Walker, Donna (Rich) Rumple, Diana Walker (Solnes) and Bill Knab, his grandchildren: Jennifer (Dave) Gerding, Jeff Solnes, Scott Rumple, Doug (Hannah) Rumple, Katie Walker, Kelly (Alex) Jelinek, and his great grandchildren: Sienna, Cadence, and Autumn Gerding, Asher and Pierce Solnes, and Arthur and Liam Rumple. John is also survived by his two brothers: Murray (Carol) Walker and Bill Walker.
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