Richard Walker

Richard "Rick" Walker, 75, passed into Eternal Life on December 29, 2016. He was the son of James and Dorothy Walker, born January 24, 1941 in DeKalb, IL. He married Gloria in DeKalb in 1962. His career spanned 40 years with the family's business, Barb City Grinding in Cortland, IL, and included 6 years with the US Army Reserves. In DeKalb, Rick was actively involved with the Jaycees and Barb City Manor Retirement Center. In Punta Gorda since 1998, he was actively involved in the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, dedicating 16 years as a furniture mover for them; also a member of the Punta Gorda Boat Club and Sacred Heart Church. His hobbies included drawing, especially cartoons, his infamous Barbie doll head lures, driving his 1987 little red Corvette, going on cruises and to the shooting range. Rick will be greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Gloria; daughter, Kimberly of White Plains, NY; 98-year-old mother, Dorothy of Waterman, IL; brother Fred (Bonnie) Walker of DeKalb, IL; sister, Jill (Wencel) Mattek of Vero Beach, FL; sisters, Jennifer (Charlie) Maki of Englewood, FL, Joni (Kevin) Osterhaut of Waterman, IL, and Julie Matekaitis; brother-in-law, Angelo Volpe of Schofield, WI; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James; sister, Janet Volpe and nephew, Jeff Crawford. The Memorial Mass in celebration of Rick's life will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday January 27, 2017 at Sacred Heart Church. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorFuneral.com and sign the online guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.