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Walter Gresham Obituary
METAMORA - Walter E. Gresham Sr., 72, of Metamora passed away at 1:27 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2011, at his residence with family by his side.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1939, in Minier, Ill., the son of Leo P. and Olive M. Smith Gresham. He married Geneva Killough on Aug. 13, 1966, in Chicago.
Surviving are two daughters, Karen Gresham of Clinton, Ill., and Kathy Gresham and her boyfriend, Bruce Brucker of Washington; and one son, Walter (Christine) Gresham Jr. of Lancaster, S.C. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; as well as two stepdaughters, Genie (Ron) Kalley of Normal, Ill., and Danette (Steve) Bellman of Secor, Ill.; three stepsons, Perry (Carol) Rhoades of Washburn, Scott (Kathy) Rhoades of Midlothian, Va., and Steve (Angel) Rhoades of Jacksonville, N.C.; 18 stepgrandchildren; and 15 stepgreat-grandchildren also survive him. He is further survived by three sisters, Barb Swanson of Washburn, Ill., Marilyn Cooley of Shenandoah, Texas, and Nellie Gresham of Kearney, Neb.; three brothers, Lawrence (Judy) Gresham and Herb (Peggy) Gresham, all of Peoria Heights and Harrison Gresham of Garnavillo, Iowa.
His parents, one brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
He was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving from 1956 until his honorable discharge in 1962. During his service time he fit nuclear weapons to B-47s.
He was an installer of garage doors for many years, last working for Brinkman Brothers Garage Door Co. before retiring in 2001.
He loved fishing, golfing, gardening, woodworking and playing the guitar and listening to older country music.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 22, at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel with the Rev. Richard Rosenbush officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to his services. Burial will follow his service in Linn Mount Vernon Cemetery in Washburn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to the Allen Court Group Home, 1650 E. Main St., Clinton, IL 61727.
Online condolences may be sent to www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Gresham
Martha Moser Helms Hager
May 18, 2021
To the family; Geneva I’m sorry for your loss. I have lost contact with you for many years. Please contact me if you will at 704-896-2537. Again I’m sorry for your loss. I just now was trying to find you and this obituary came up. The letter I sent you in 2014 came back to me. This is your cousin Martha Moser Helms Hager. I’m so glad to be able to find you.
April 28, 2011
Nellie and Harrison and all the Gresham families, I remember big brother Walt and send you my sympathy. I hope your wonderful memories bring you comfort. Pam Kuhfuss Yeast
Nellie gresham
April 28, 2011
Carolyn conn & norman you are not forgotten, thanks
Nellie Gresham
April 25, 2011
Thanks to all who loved my brother Walter!! He was so loved and so special, we will all miss him and hang on to our memories forever. I look forward because of Jesus Christ to join my brother in Heaven someday also, and our other loved ones. God bless all those who gave him comfort, love, prayers, food, dignity and much more enjoying his last days. He was blessed with the best nurses in the world 24/7 care in his home, family holding his hand right along with Jesus. Enjoy Heaven bro I will see you when God is finished with me here.
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VICTOR WINCHELL
April 25, 2011
THE GRESHAM FAMILY, SORRY TO HEAR OF WALT'S PASSING. MAY YOUR MEMORIES KEEP HIM NEAR.
VIC WINCHELL
April 22, 2011
brother walt love you and will miss you,if you run into hank williams up there tell him i still listen to his great music..
Tiffany Marliere
April 21, 2011
I love you!
Ryan Marliere
April 21, 2011
I love you Grandpa. You were an amazing man and a great grandfather and father to me. Your memory will live within me. I will see you again someday in heaven...until that day, watch over me in life. You will be truly missed by many!
Bill Bryan
April 20, 2011
Ryan and your family: My deepest sympathy for your loss. I did not know Walter personally but had heard a great deal about him. I am so sorry.
April 19, 2011
To the Gresham familly, so very sorry to hear of the loss of Walter---he was a classmate when we were in school at Minier.---Carolyn Walker, Leroy
Joe Denney
April 19, 2011
Nellie,so sorry to hear about the loss of your Brother Walter;My deepest thoughts go out to You & Your family...
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