Eleanor L. Horn Walker

Eleanor Louise Horn Walker, age 98, of Essexville, MI, formerly of Traverse City, MI, died Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at McLaren Bay Region Hospital in Bay City, MI. Born August 2, 1914 in Dayton, Ohio, she was the daughter of Forrest and Florence Wilson Horn. Following the death of her parents Eleanor was raised by her aunt, Emma Wilson Kelley of Washington Court House, Ohio. Mrs. Walker graduated from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio in 1939 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. She took great pride in having worked each summer in college at Jane Addams' Hull House in West Chicago, IL, now on the National Register of Historic Places. After graduation she worked in Glenn Robbins, a coal mining town in southern Ohio, an enriching experience that provided many interesting and amusing stories during her lifetime. On May 25, 1943 Eleanor married Rev. E. DeVer Walker. Together they served Presbyterian churches in Brilliant, OH; West Middlesex, PA; Lima, OH; Columbus, OH, and Louisville, OH. During their retirement in Traverse City, MI, they enjoyed extensive travel throughout the US and Europe and many cultural events until DeVer's death in 1998. It was then that Eleanor moved to Essexville to be closer to her family. Eleanor was a lifelong active member of the church, and took great pride in being the oldest member of First Presbyterian Church in Bay City, MI. She had a strong faith, and up until her death sent regular greetings to those in the congregation that were Homebound. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed sewing and knitting, loved to shop, was an avid Tigers fan, and didn't miss a MSU Spartan football or basketball game. She loved her family and relished each holiday with them. She was a remarkable woman, loved by many, and was an inspiration to all. Mrs. Walker is survived by daughters Judith Gillette and her husband Gene, of Bay City, MI; and K. Walker and Ron Pappas of Payson, AZ; five grandchildren: Sheryl (John) McKinnon of Ft. Wayne, IN, Dean Gillette of Shipshewana, IN, Julie (Mark) Ziegler of Bettendorf, IA, Joel Walker Gray (Kelli) of Carrollton, GA and Brooke (Chuck Jerasa) Gillette of Southlake, TX. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Alexandrea (Craig) Hanba of Chicago, IL, Jill (Dustin) Forker of Avilla, IN, Travis Ziegler on the USS George HW Bush, Taylor and Morgan Gray of Carrollton, GA and Logan McKinnon of Ft. Wayne, IN. Great-great grandchildren are Evan and Ethan McKinnon, Adrienne Forker, and Owen Hanba. Also surviving are a sister and brother-in-law Ardith and Ed Fetter of Marion, OH. Also mourning her loss is her best friend Marjorie E. Gillette of Standish, MI, and a special neighbor Claudette Huggard of Essexville, MI. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Rev. E. DeVer Walker, her parents Forrest and Florence Horn, her aunt, Emma Wilson Kelley, and a brother Paul Horn of New York City. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013 in The Chapel at First Presbyterian Church of Bay City at 4:00 p.m. with The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey D. Weenink officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church of Bay City, MI in care of Judith Gillette of Bay City. Interment for Mrs. Walker will be in The Garden of Remembrance at First Congregational Church of Traverse City, MI. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. www.gephartfuneralhome.com