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Obituary

Earl Kenneth Walker, 95, died peacefully at home Nov. 4, 2021. He was born Jan. 16, 1926 in Burlington, IA. Drafted in 1944, he served his country during WWII in the Philippines and Okinawa, with the United States Army, 1st Battalion, Company A, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division. Shortly after returning from the war, he met and soon married his beloved wife Shirley on March 6, 1949. They moved to Chicago and had many happy years there raising two sons. Earl pursued a career in HVAC and sheet metal work. He was a proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union 73 for over 75 years. After retirement they made their home in Broken Arrow, OK and had so much fun traveling the west for the tool business. Earl loved to build dollhouses and was thrilled to give them away for kids to enjoy. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and was generous with his time, wise advice and bad jokes. Eating at Portillo’s will not be the same without Earl and his beef sandwich!
Earl is survived by his son Thomas (Lynn) Walker, sisters Alice Johnson, Elaine Johnson, Virginia Cook, Phyllis Schultz and many, many nieces, nephews and their children. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley, his son Gary Walker, siblings Verne Walker, Doris Westlake, Loren Walker, Marian Palmer, Robert Walker and parents Roy and Mathilda Walker.
No funeral services are planned at this time. A memorial celebration will be held in the Spring.