Ralph E. Walters

ELKHART — Ralph E. Walters, 84, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully following an extended illness at his home at 3 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018.

He was born Nov. 17, 1933, in Elkhart, to the late La Moer and Hazel (Books) Walters. 

On May 12, 1962, he married Lois, who survives at home.

Also surviving are his daughters Kimberly J. Walters of Carmel and Julia (Tom) Nottingham of Indianapolis; brother James Walters of Elkhart; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. 

A daughter, Sheryl, preceded Ralph in death in 1968.

The Rev. Ted Stanley and the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, 30888 C.R. 6, Elkhart, are honored to host Ralph’s celebration of life service at 1 p.m. Friday, March 2, with visitation beginning at noon. 

Burial will follow in Rice Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV No. 19. 

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements.

Ralph was a lifelong meat cutter who worked at several area supermarkets including Wilt’s and Kroger’s but also ran his own shop, Walter’s Meat Market, throughout the 1970s. 

After his retirement in the late 1990s, he continued doing what he loved for Meijer’s and Walmart and even worked a long-distance delivery stint with Fed-Ex, which he enjoyed because he got to travel. 

He was an avid fisherman and bow hunter, and enjoyed spending summers at his condo on Lake Erie in Oak Harbor, Ohio, fishing for Walleye and Perch. 

He was also a member of the Elkhart Kane Masonic Lodge and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.   

Memorial donations may be given to the Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or to the National Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

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