Walter R. Dunham,80, of Van Wert, passed away at 11:04 a.m., Wednesday at the Van Wert Health Emergency Room.
He was born on February 2, 1940, in Haviland, the son of the late Charles William and Laura Elizabeth (Schlatter) Dunham, Sr. On June 24, 1961, he married the former Opal Marie Clouse who survives.
Other family members include his daughter, Shelley A. Dunham of Decatur, Indiana; a son Brock E. (Tonya) Dunham of Knoxville, Tennessee; three brothers, Dale (LaBeth) Dunham of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Byron (Jody) Dunham of New Haven, Indiana, and Charles (Debra) Dunham, Jr., of Payne; two sisters, Lydia Doershler and Elizabeth Dunham both of Fort Wayne, Indiana; five grandchildren, Amy (Cameron) Bladen of Van Wert, Adam (Tara) Bilimek of Van Wert, Broderick Dunham of Knoxville, Morgin Grant of Memphis, Tennessee, and Byson Grant of Knoxville; four great grandchildren, Joslynne Ricker, Maddox Bladen, Lillia Bladen and Haillie Bladen; and a great grand daughter expected in March.
Walt was a 1958 graduate of Blue Creek High School and obtained a poultry certification at Washington State University. He worked in the poultry industry for over fifty years, first as a partner in Stoller Hatchery in Van Wert, then with Centurian Poultry of Lexington, Georgia, and he enjoyed the last nine years as a consultant with Herbricks Poulty of Saranac, Michigan working with Amish farmers in northern Indiana.
He was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Van Wert where he sang in the choir for over fifty-five years. He also served on the Church Council, as a Sunday school teacher, Luther League advisor and the last several years he ministered to shut-ins. Walt also enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their sporting events.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2020, at St. Marks Lutheran Church with Rev. William C. Haggis, II, officiating. Interment will follow at Van Wert Woodland Cemetery. Calling hours are 3 - 7 p.m., Saturday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Sunday at the Church.
Preferred memorials are to St. Marks Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.
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