Robert Michael Walker, called Mike by family and friends, died peacefully on July 10 at age 81. Beloved husband of Kathryn (nee Oplinger) and devoted father of Robert (Ann Marie) and Julie, and proud grandfather of Andrew, Dylan, Amanda, Cole (Alicia), Nicholas and Clare and delighted great grandfather of Riley. He was also a loving step father to Walter (April) and Anne (Mike), and special grandfather to Max, Owen and Cathryn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carson and Vera, and by his brothers Carson Jr. and Gary and sister Twila. Mike was born in West Virginia and grew up on the family farm. There he worked alongside his grandparents (who raised him) and his siblings, tending to animals, gardening, hunting for squirrels and the other everyday chores needed to keep the family going. After high school graduation, he followed his uncle’s footsteps to Ohio and worked for Ford Motors - he retired after 38 years of working in a variety of capacities in the engine plant Mike interrupted his work to serve in the Air Force and was a proud veteran of his service. He was stationed at Cape Canaveral during the Cuban missile crisis and also involved with the first three manned space launches from there. Mike was a good and kind person, whose greatest joy was his family. He was a genuine family man, devoted to providing for his family and to being involved in his children’s activities, such as being a coach for their teams in Columbia Station’s Hot Stove league. He was active in Berea’s Congregational church where he was a deacon. After that church merged to form Christ United Church, he continued to be a dedicated supporter of his new church. The family will have a private burial next week at his family’s cemetery in West Virginia. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE is planned at Christ United Church, 23114 West Street, Olmsted Falls, Ohio, 44138, Friday, November 25 at 1:00 pm. Mike embraced his family and his friends, and will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers,memorial donations can be made to Christ United Church.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Robert Michael Walker, please visit our floral store.