IRMA JEAN WALKER

Irma Jean (Thomas) Walker of Canton, died June 25, 2024 at the age of 97 in St. Joseph, MO where she has been living the last 5 years near her daughter.  She was born on August 6, 1926, on a farm west of LaBelle, MO near county line road to Amos Rigby Thomas and Jennie Myrtle (McCullough) Thomas.  She graduated elementary and jr. high from the Salem School south of LaBelle.  In 1944 she graduated from LaBelle High School.  After high school, she attended Kirksville State Teachers College where she graduated in 1945 with a 1-year secretarial degree.  Her first job was working at the Lewis County Courthouse in Monticello.

On February 4, 1948, she married Delmar Walker at the Canton Christian Church where she has been a member ever since.  She and her husband Delmar operated the Sinclair station and tank wagon service from 1951 until they sold the station in 1966 and then later in 1971, they sold the tank wagon service to Ayers Oil Company and they both went to work for Ayers.  Irma worked at Ayers until her retirement.

Irma was all about family.  She would jump in her car at the drop of a hat if she was needed to take care of her grandchildren in either Lake Ozark or Liberty, MO.  Every Labor Day weekend from the early 1970’s on, she hosted a Thomas family reunion where all her Thomas side from siblings to great grandchildren would gather for a family get together.  She was always so proud of the large group she would take to church that Sunday.

Many in Canton will also remember her as one of the walking ladies.  After her husband died in 1984, Irma and her dear friend Mary Moon would walk almost every day together.  For over 20 years they walked together all around the town of Canton.  She was also a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and we took her to a game every year for her birthday.

She was preceded in death by her husband Delmar Walker, her parents, Amos and Jennie Thomas, her siblings, Earnest Thomas, Lois Miller and Wilma Podbor, Nephews, Phil Miller, and Don Thomas.

Surviving are her two children: Carol (Doug) Walter of St. Joseph, MO, Kirk (Dee) Walker of Overland Park, KS.  Four grandchildren: Jessica (Eric) Soete of Columbia, MO, Peter Walter (Caitlin Vandell) of Columbia, MO, Mark Walter (Winja Brennecke) of Excelsior Springs, MO.  Lauren (David) Hanigan of Reno, NV.  10 great grandchildren: Abreham Soete, Jackson Soete, Ingram Soete, Rockwell Soete, Phinnaeus Soete, Ada Walter, Mirren Walter, James Hanigan, Layla Hanigan and Emma Walter.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton, MO with Rev. Doug Walter officiating. Visitation will be held Friday morning, June 28, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until time of services in the funeral home. Pallbearers:  Peter Walter, Mark Walter, Eric Soete, David Hanigan, Josh Welker and Corey Moon

Burial is next to her husband, Delmar Walker, in the Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton, MO.  

The family suggests memorials be made to the Canton Christian Church in care of Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 108, Canton, MO  63435.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com