Robert G. Walters

Robert Walters finished his earthly journey and started his heavenly one on June 2, 2025 at the age of 97 years. He was the son of Mahlon Walters and Ella Mae Schaeffer Walters. When he was 12, his father died which had a big impact on his life. He met the love of his life, Emily Nuss, at a skating rink when he was in high school. They soon married and to this union, five children were born. After several years of working on other dairy farms, he was able to fulfill his dream by purchasing his own farm near Kintnersville. Life on the farm was difficult but rewarding, and while working the fields, he loved looking down and watching the children at play and Emily hanging up wash. After farming for about five years, he was approached by church leaders and asked if he would consider pastoring a small young church in Steel City. He accepted, and two years later sold the farm and moved to Steel City. He did this with some sadness, because he loved the farm, but he felt that God was calling him to more than farming. After serving many years at Steel City Mennonite Church, he accepted an interim pastorate at Line Lexington Mennonite Church. When this ended, he again felt the call to plant a new church and founded Whitehall Mennonite Church. In total, he served as a pastor for thirty-six years. Bob, as he was known to most, had a great love and concern for people, and spent many hours visiting with people in Steel City and the surrounding area, including prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes, or wherever there was a need. Like his father, Bob had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and boating. His love for the water and boating, led him to purchase a "graveyard special" which needed major work. With this boat, named the Celestia, they cruised the Chesapeake Bay and into the Bahamas. He, along with first mate Emily, also hosted and chartered for many people on the boat, and they used this as another means of ministering to people. While Bob would be the first to admit that he was not perfect, during his lifetime he touched many people, and his influence will continue to be felt within the community. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Emily Nuss Walters. He is survived by his five children, Dawn and husband Charlie Townes, Susie and husband Dave Kempf, Becky and husband Guy Lesser, Mark and wife Nancy Walters, and Tim and wife Lisa Walters; 13 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren. Services: Visitation will be held on Tuesday June 10, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Steel City Mennonite Church, 2137 Mixsell Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18015. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday June 11 at 10:00 AM at the same church. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery of Hellertown. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com. Contributions: Donations in memory of Bob may be made to the Allentown Rescue Mission, 355 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert G., please visit our floral store.