Walter, Rev. Fletcher G. 1854-1937

WALTER, MONTGOMERY, WEST

Posted By: Janet Brown - volunteer (email)
Date: 10/2/2013 at 09:49:41

From the Thursday, November 18, 1937 Hawarden Independent:

AGED RETIRED MINISTER DIES

DEATH CLAIMS REV. FLETCHER G. WALTER SATURDAY

Was 83 Years Old and Lived Here the Past Eleven Years—Leaves Two Sons and One Daughter

Rev. Fletcher G. Walter, for the past eleven years a resident of this community, passed away early Saturday morning at the home of his son, Raymond E. Walter, three miles northeast of Hawarden, from infirmities incident to his advanced years. He had been ill for many months.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 Monday afternoon at the Methodist church in this city, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Robert F. Chapler. Burial was at Sheldon.

Fletcher G. Walter, son of Peter and Harriet Montgomery Walter, was born May 24,1854, in Jay county, Ind., and died Nov. 13, 1937, at the age of 83 years, 5 months and 20 days. He had three (brothers and three sisters, all of whom preceded him in death.

His boyhood was spent on a farm in Jay county, a few rods from Limberlost Creek. As a boy he attended Limberlost school and Limberlost church. He attended Liber college when a young man and became one of the pioneer school teachers of Indiana. While teaching school he met Nettie West, a daughter of Rev. H. C. West, a Wesleyan minister located near Portland, Ind., and on April 10, 1879, they were married. They made their home on a tract of timber land which be bought and cleared for farming, using the lumber for his home and farm buildings. To this union were born three children, Raymond, Blanche and Russell.

As a result of ill health he moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a year and upon his return to Indiana Mr. Walter began study in preparation for entering the ministry and was ordained an elder on Oct. 6, 1901. He then accepted a pastorate near Baraboo, Wis., where he served faithfully and successfully for several years. At the end of his service there he was made a district superintendent. Besides performing the duties of this office, he conducted many Bible study classes.

After an attack of sciatic rheumatism, he was forced to seek a warmer climate and was transferred to the Oklahoma conference where he served a group of churches near Enid, Okla. Later he resigned because of ill health and has not been in active service for a number of years but he continued to write for the church publications and was deeply interested in all movements toward the upbuilding of the church and the cause of Christ.

Mrs. Walters preceded him in death by eleven years, passing away on July 25, 1926. Since that time he has made his home with his son, Raymond E. Walter of Hawarden, He is survived by his three children, Raymond E. Walter and Mrs. J. E. Arter of Hawarden, and Russell W. Walter of Sheldon, and by six grandchildren.