Louis John Walkenhorst's Obituary
Louis John Walkenhorst, 90, of Phil Campbell, AL, departed this life July 7, 2007. Louis was a direct descendant of early Perry County, IL, pioneers; his great-grandfather, Henry, and grandfather, John Henry Theodore, immigrated from Muenster, Germany, in the mid 1800's. John Henry accumulated land in the South Four-Mile Prairie Community, west of Matthews. Louis' parents were John Thomas and Elizabeth Poignee Walkenhorst. Lizzie's parents were John and Caroline Keller Poignee. Louis was born 10/28/1916, on the original Walkenhorst homestead. His father had died earlier on April 4, 1916. Louis attended the one-room Walkenhorst School, finishing in May 1928. He married Lorraine Elizabeth Fones 03/11/1936 in Vergennes, IL, and she survives. Louis served with the USN Seabees in WWII in the Southwestern Pacific in 1945-46, receiving the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, the Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He also served with the U.S.A.F. in 1951-52 during the Korean Conflict, receiving the Korean Service Medal. Louis and Lorraine lived in the same community until 1977 when they moved to Phil Campbell, AL. Louis was retired from the carpenter trade, having been employed by Dunn Brothers most of his career. He had received his 50 year watch from the Carpenters Local Union in 2001. Louis and Lorraine enjoyed many outside activities and their home/garden displayed their talents. Louis left a hand-written legacy to his great-grandchildren of his early life and the customs of those times. He was very well-read his entire life. Louis affiliated with the St. John's United Church of Christ in Du Quoin, IL, when he was a young boy. Louis is survived by his wife, Lorraine, daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Ann (Robert ) Parmer, Phil Campbell, AL; grandchildren, Pamela Jane (Bradley) Korb, Huntsville, AL; Robert Mark (Donna) Parmer, Springdale, AR; John Daniel (Vickie) Parmer, Williamston, MI; great-grandchildren, William Harrison, Benjamin Robert and John Mark Parmer; John Tyler and Blake Alexander Parmer; Sarah Michelle Korb. Descendants today from these early Walkenhorst and Poignee families include Kohlhaas, Mohr and Winter. Friends may call at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyville on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, from 12:00 p.m. till 2 p.m. with graveside service immediately following at Galum Cemetery, Pinckneyville. Memorial donations may be made to Galum Cemetery Association.
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