Mabel M. Walker

Mabel M. Walker, 98, of Paris, died April 3, 2008, in the Colonial Care Center in Canton.

Born Jan. 4, 1910, in New Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Wilbert and Olive (Sommerville) Vandegrift.

She was a grade school teacher for the Minerva Local School District having taught mostly in the New Franklin Elementary School. She graduated from Minerva High School and received her bachelors degree form Mount Union College and attended Kent State University. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of the Paris Women's Club, Stark County Retired Teachers Assoc., Alliance Christian Women's Cub, Past Matron of Esther Chapter #120 O.E.S., past worthy high priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, and a 60 yr. member of the Robertsville Grange #1784.

She is survived by two daughters, Arlene (David) Morrison of Paris and Yvonne Miesel of N. Canton; two sons, Olen (Lois) Walker of Paris and Lowell (Virginia) Walker of Berea; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd J. Walker who died May 31, 1991; a son-in-law, Lewis Miesel; two sisters, Lela Blanchard and Ethel Felger and four brothers, Lloyd, Eldon, Forest and Earl Vandegrift.

Funeral services were held April 7 in St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin with Rev. Joseph Ertl officiating. Burial was in New Franklin Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church memorial fund.  Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva was in charge of arrangements.