Waltner, Homer Everett (1919-2004)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Aug 2 p. 8

Birth date: 1919 Nov 3

text of obituary:

HOMER E. WALTNER

Homer Everett Waltner, 84, of Freeman, S.D., died June 29, 2004. He was born Nov. 3, 1919, to Edward J.B. and Anna L. Tschetter Waltner in Turner County.

He graduated from Freeman Academy in 1938.

He was baptized upon confession of faith on Aug. 12, 1934, and became a member of Salem Mennonite Church, where he remained a faithful member until his death.

On Aug. 11, 1952, he married Martha Fast at Goessel (Kan.) Mennonite Church.

He worked for his uncle Henry and area farmers and then was a truck driver for the Freeman Creamery (now AMPI) for 10 years before he turned to farming.

His winter diversion in the 1960s was playing checkers in Freeman as well as in the state tournament. In summer it was umpiring softball games. He was a registered umpire with the S.D. Amateur Softball Association and umpired at the state softball tournament in the '60s.

He served his church as a trustee and as a member of the parsonage building committee, MCC meat canning and MDS committees.

He always found time for hunting and fishing. He was a member of Turkey Ridge Sportsman's Club and past president of South Eastern South Dakota Wildlife Club.

He was a member of the Freeman Rural Fire Association board of directors for many years. He enjoyed classical music and enjoyed singing in the Messiah when it was performed annually by the Swiss Choral Society.

Survivors include his wife, Martha; a son, Everett, and his wife, Margie; a daughter, Geraldine Butkus and her husband, John; a sister, Belva Unruh; two brothers, LaVerne and Don Waltner; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Isaac; and sister-in-law Selma Schmidt.

Funeral services were held at Salem Mennonite Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.