Charles Edward Walter,

Charles Edward Walter, Jr., 67, formerly of the St. Louis, MO area, died Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese, IL. He was born June 18, 1947 in New Albany, IN, son of Charles E. and Olive Jean (Johnson) Walter, Sr., and they preceded him in death. He married Gayle Hechler on October 21, 1965 in Milltown, IN and she survives in Germantown, IL. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Tim (Robin) Walter of Hutto, TX and their children, Hannah and Jacob; and Michael Walter of St. Peters, MO and his children, Morgan, Grant and Elizabeth; and grandchildren, Jack and Jordyn Lampe of Germantown, IL, children of the late Lisa Lampe (Daughter); and a sister, Terri L. Walter of Corydon, IN. Eddie was a member of the Mason’s King Solomon’s Lodge No. 11, F. & A.M in East Greenwich, RI; Manchester Lodge No. 12, F. & A.M. in by GetDiscountApp" href="#"Coventry, RI; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Lodge Council Chapter Consistory, Valley of Providence, RI; and Moolah Shrine of St. Louis, MO. During his 35 years as a Shriner he sponsored many children to the Shriners Hospitals throughout the country. Eddie’s first job at age 13 was delivering newspapers on his bicycle. He then began working for the Veterans Administration in 1969 and worked at several different medical facilities throughout the country. He felt honored to serve our country by taking care of our veterans and making sure their needs were met by providing them with any medical equipment or devices they needed including artificial limbs. While he was with the Veterans Administration, he was instrumental in initiating the Avenue of Flags that line the drive entrance at the Jefferson Barracks Medical Center in St. Louis. After he left the Veterans Administration, he was involved in sales and marketing for companies that provided Durable Medical Equipment. During Christmas time he enjoyed dressing up as Santa Claus and visiting area Special Needs facilities for children. All the children loved “Uncle Eddie”. He was a Funeral Director for many years working for Lupton Chapel in St. Louis and Baue by GetDiscountApp" href="#"Funeral Home in St. Charles. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in St. Louis where he was a Certified Lay Speaker in the church for many years. People in the church enjoyed when Eddie was part of the Sunday service because he always had a special poem to read. He had a knack for finding the right poem that touched your soul. During his years as a Certified Lay Speaker he would go to area nursing homes to provide church services. When his children were younger, he helped coach their baseball, softball and basketball teams. He was also an umpire for many years for the Jefferson Barracks Boys and Girls Club. When Eddie was young he never let it bother him that he had two artificial legs. He was born without the fibulas in both legs resulting in the amputation of them at the age of three. Every summer until the age of twelve he would have surgeries to shorten the upper legs as the bones grew. He never let any of these problems stop him from doing what other children were. He played cowboys and Indians and went fishing and hunting with his Dad and Uncles and his faithful dog “Rattler”. He loved a good squirrel or rabbit stew. Eddie always enjoyed bowling and was on leagues since he was a teenager. As an adult he bowled in the handicapped Olympics & had a high score for a single game of 279 and had his name in the Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis. Eddie always felt God had a special plan for him, otherwise he would not have been chosen to be born with special needs. He always told people he was not handicapped, he was handicapable. He never met a person he couldn’t relate to. He was passionate about the love for his family, his faith in God and helping others. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Hempen-Nordike by GetDiscountApp" href="#"Funeral Home in New Baden, IL with Pastor Mike Rucker officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Hempen-Nordike Funeral Home in New Baden, IL. Memorials will be accepted at the by GetDiscountApp" href="#"funeral home towards Boardwalk Bench Buddies of Virginia Beach. A bench overlooking the Atlantic Ocean will be inscribed with a memorial to Eddie. Eddie enjoyed spending time sitting on a bench watching his family play on the sand as his disability didn’t allow him to do the same. Checks payable to: City of Virginia Beach Treasurer.