Richard Stephen Walter

Richard Stephen Walter, born February 8, 1943, in Harrison County, Indiana and raised near Lanesville died on May 9, 2023, in a traffic accident in Bay County, Florida. He was the son of the late Stephen and Louise Stilger Walter and step-son of the late Leona Fessell Kochert Walter. He was also preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Jennifer Louise Walter, his brothers Gerald Walter and Charlie Walter, as well as, his sister, Laura Walter Selby and step-sister Marg Kochert.
Those surviving him are his daughter, Lorie (Aubrey) Serpas, his son, Matthew Lois Bodner, his grandchildren: Julie Michele Serpas, Colton Michael Serpas, and twins Katherine & Abigail Bodner; his godchildren: Marsha Webb and Nathaniel Walter; his siblings: Bernardine Walter of California, Pamela Wermuth of Massachusetts, Margaret Walter of Columbia, Missouri, Susan (David) Wilson of Cicero, IN, Kevin (Brenda) Walter of Sunman, IN, Edward (Joan) Walter of Burlington,KY, Annette Smith of Bellevue, KY; his step-siblings: Jane (Doug)Timberlake, Ronnie (Marty) Kochert, Steve(June) Kochert and Larry (Barbara) Kochert.
Mr. Walter worked as an Agriculture Assistant for various farmers in the Lanesville area and was on the road with the Fikes Fiesta Rides. Upon graduation from Lanesville High School in 1961 he was off to the United States Marine Corps. He was able to visit 34 countries during his enlistment. He worked as a radio-teletype operator and jet mechanic, as well as being assigned to U.S. Embassy Duty in Washington DC and Munich, Germany. His last 6 months of duty was NCOIC of the East Coast Marine Corp Burial Detail. In late 1968, he rejoined the local workforce, working for Tom Redden construction on many Lanesville area projects. He then worked as a firefighter/guard at the Powder Plant in Charlestown. After serving an apprenticeship at Public Service Indiana, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida and worked at Jacksonville Electric Authority until his retirement. During this time, he also served as a Corporal for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department and as a Lieutenant Civil Defense Police, now Homeland Security and Office of Public Safety. He was a Kentucky Colonel, a Girl & Boy Scout Leader in Germany, Italy and US, an Advanced First-Aid CPR Instructor for the Red Cross and American Heart Association. He attended East Carolina College and Jacksonville Junior college. He was of the Catholic Faith attending many parishes around the world but always returned to St. Mary's Lanesville. He will return this time for his final resting place. His graveside service will be Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 10 am with full military honors. The family requests memorials be sent to a charity of your choosing.