Phyllis C. Walters

Phyllis C. Walters died Monday, June 22, 2015 at the age of 96. She was born March 17, 1919 at Battle Creek, Michigan to Willard and Ermine (Lewis) Cannon. She was a sixth-generation native of Battle Creek, her great-great-great grandfather, Abel Simons, having come to Battle Creek from Cayuga County, New York in 1844. She was a 1936 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, and graduated from the University of Michigan School of Education in 1940. She also studied at the Merrill Palmer School in Detroit. She taught first grade at McKinley School in Battle Creek 1940-42. After her children were grown, she worked as business manager for her husband's business office. She married John F. Walters, M.D. in Battle Creek Dec. 28, 1941. He died May 2, 2002. She was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, where she served as special minister of the Eucharist, was a member of St. Philip Council of Catholic women and its St. Theresa Circle. She served on the Board of Directors of Senior Citizens Residence, Inc., which operated Northside Manor, for eleven years, serving as Secretary six years, and as President two years. She was an active member of the Battle Creek Chapter of Birthright for many years, and was a former member of the Calhoun County Medical Auxiliary. She and her husband moved in 1995 to the Fountains at Bronson Place Retirement Home in Kalamazoo, where they were members of St. Augustine Cathedral. In 2014, she moved to Clarebridge House in Monroe MI, where she resided until her death. Surviving are sons Steven (Beverly) Walters of Monroe, Dr. Bruce (Dr. Jean Dunegan) Walters of Brighton, a daughter Martha Austin of St. Marys KS, a former daughter-in-law Martha Walters of Northville; nine grandchildren, David Walters of Avon MA, Thomas Walters of Beverly Hills MI, Richard Walters of Chicago IL, Dr. John (Geine) Austin of Long Meadows MA, Daniel (Jennifer) Austin of Kalamazoo, Timothy Austin of Winona MN, Stephen Austin of Overland Park KS, Patrick Walters of Brighton MI and Megan (Adam) Gardner of Seminole OK; and three great-grandchildren, a step-grandchild, two step-great-grandchildren, two nieces, and two step-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, and a sister Mildred Cannon, who died in 1926 at age 5. Friends are being received 6-8 pm Friday, June 26, 2015 at Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Funeral Mass: Sat. 10 am, St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo MI. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek, MI Memorial contributions may be made to Memorials to: Rose Arbor Hospice, 5473 Croyden, Kalamazoo MI 49009. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net