Walter Landers
Born: April 20th, 1928
Died: October 16th, 2013
Obituary
Walter "Stretch" Landers, 85, of Burlington, died at 12:46 AM Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. Born April 20, 1928, in Burlington, he was the son of William Michael and Myrtle A. Ledman Landers. On January 24, 1953, he married Mildred "Millie" Evelyn Davis in Burlington. He was a 1947 graduate of Burlington High School, and then entered the U.S. Army where he served from 1950 until 1952 as a Military Police Sergeant during the Korean War in the Philippines. Upon discharge from the Army, he worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant first as a helper and then as a heavy equipment mechanic, inspector and finally as a shop foreman. He retired in 1993 after 43 years with the Plant. Stretch was a member of the V.F.W. and the Century Club at SCC. He was an avid SCC basketball fan and had season tickets for over 60 years. He was a fan of basketball overall and was also an Iowa Hawkeyes football fan. He enjoyed his garden, doing small engine repair, working on lawn mowers, and especially spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Millie; two sons, Shawn (Debbie) Landers of Biggsville, IL, Kyle (Cindy) Landers of Ventura, CA; one daughter, Karla (Rick) Knipe of Fort Madison; five grandchildren, Erica Niggemeyer of Des Moines, IA, Melissa Schnedler of Columbia, MO, Aaron Landers of Macomb, IL, and Jadee Landers and Emilee Landers, both of Biggsville, IL; four great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Annabell, and Madilynn Niggemeyer, and Mollie Schnedler; three nieces, Barbara Kimmel, Judy Lemon, and Chris Hempel. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Helen Tyrell, Margaret Kemp, and June Ensminger, one brother, Duane Landers, and one nephew, Paul Mattson. Cremation has been entrusted to Thielen Crematory. The memorial visitation for Mr. Landers will be from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Thielen Funeral Home where the family will receive friends. Burial will be at a later date in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A memorial has been established.