Earlier photo

MENDOTA - Kathleen E. Walter, 81, of Mendota passed away May 3, 2017 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center, Mendota.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 8 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Pilon officiating. Inurnment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7 at the Schwarz Funeral Home, Mendota.

Kathleen was born Aug. 19, 1935 in Galesburg to Albert and Ruth (Royce) Weiss. She married Roland P. Walter on May 1,1954 at Holy Cross Church. He preceded her in death on May 17, 2016.

Survivors include five sons, Larry (Linda) Walter of Excello, Mo., Bruce Walter of Mendota, Tom Walter of Mendota, Chris (Kathy) Walter of Arlington, Texas and Matt (Troy) Walter of Aubrey, Texas; two daughters, Ruth Ann (Steve) Sterchi of Mendota and Valerie (Bill) Loveridge of Cape Fair, Mo.; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alberta (Robert) Morgan of Galesburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one great-grandson, Ayden Thomas Walter; and one sister, Genevieve Troupis.

Kathleen graduated from Mendota High School in 1953. She worked at The Candy Kitchen after high school, and made bombs during the Vietnam era for Conkey's. In 1971, she and her husband started Walter Bros. Plumbing and Heating. Kathleen was the office manager.

She was one of the founders of the BMX Club and served as secretary, was president of the Holy Cross Mother's Club and was a den mother for all of her five boys. She was a member of Holy Cross Church and was a CCD teacher for several years. Kathleen She was a member of Mendota Community Theater for many years and had the lead role in the production of “Mary, Mary.”

Memorials may be directed to Illinois Valley Hospice or Sauk Valley Humane Society.

Online condolences may be left at schwarzfuneral.com.