NORTH MANCHESTER – J. Michael “Mike” Walters, 70, of Haines City, Fla., and formerly of North Manchester, died at 7:30 p.m. June 29, 2011, in Lake Wales (Fla.) Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 19, 1940, in Wabash, to George Jr. and Edna E. Heeter Walters. On March 7, 2008, he married Marilyn Rollins, who survives.
He was a member of John’s United Methodist Church, Winter Haven, Fla. He graduated in 1958 from Manchester High School’s first graduating class. He was credited with naming the new school mascot: “The Squire.” He attended International Business College, Fort Wayne. He worked for International Harvester, Fort Wayne, and later worked for Farm Bureau, North Manchester, as a manager in the lumber yard. While in Florida he worked for Scotty’s as a manager in the lumber yard area and worked part-time at Walt Disney World’s Disney Studio for 10 years, retiring in October 2010.
Also surviving are three sons: Chris (and spouse Janelle) Walters, Craig (and spouse Sherry) Walters and Cary (and spouse Laurie) Walters, all of North Manchester; his mother, Edna E. Walters Landis, North Manchester; a brother, Todd L. (and spouse Jane) Walters, Silver Lake; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.
Services will be at 2 p.m. July 24 at Timbercrest Chapel, North Manchester, with Pastor Ron Burns officiating.
Calling is one hour prior to the service July 24 at Timbercrest.
McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, is in charge of arrangements.
***** Memorials may be made to Wabash County Cancer Society, P.O. Box 144, North Manchester, IN; or Lake Region Village Memorial Tree Fund, c/o Barbara Marquardt, 203 Orchid Terrace, Haines City, FL 33844.
