Ishpeming Twp. – Walter "Wally" A. Walsh, age 79 of 235 Seilo Ave., Ishpeming Twp. passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 in the Emergency Room at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming.

Walter was born October 24, 1928 in Blenker, WI, a son of the late Anthony and Anna (VonBrock) Walsh. He served in the United States Army during WWII as a paratrooper. Walter married Jane Foster in Marshfield, WI on September 4, 1948. In 1952, Walter and Jane moved from Wisconsin to Ishpeming. He retired from the mining industry in 1991 after working for 10 years at the Morris Mine for Inland Steel, and 26 years for Cleveland Cliffs at the Mather B Mine as an underground miner and then at the Tilden Mine as a fuel operator .

Walter was involved in the Pioneer Kiwanis, the Retired United Steelworkers of America Union, and the American Legion Post 114. He was a member of the Big and Little Brothers of Ishpeming and Negaunee and was a big brother to Tony and Jimmy Bertucci. Walter and his wife Jane were foster parents for many children over the years.

Walter was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. He enjoyed camping on Lake Independence in Big Bay, snowmobiling, and hunting deer and especially rabbits. Walter also enjoyed his morning coffee at the Ishpeming McDonalds for the past several years.

Walter is survived by his wife of 59 years: Jane of Ishpeming, a son Patrick (Pam) Walsh of Ishpeming, a daughter Agnes (Donald) Rice Jr. of Ishpeming, 6 grandchildren: Craig (Bobbie) Rice of Ishpeming, Brenda (William) Hill of Rapid City, SD, Regina Rolstone of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Kerry Rolstone of Ishpeming, Jody Walsh of Ishpeming, and Nicole Brewer of Ishpeming, 9 great-grandchildren: Brett, Tyler and Sierra Hill, Cameron Rice, Josh and Natasha Steward, Isabella and Dyllan Lindsay, Skylar Hill along with several nieces and nephews.
Walter is preceded in death by 2 brothers, a sister, a daughter Gail Rolstone, a granddaughter, 2 sons: Walter and Phillip at infancy, and 2 daughters: Bernadette and Kathryn also at infancy.

Family will greet friends and relatives from 12:30PM until 2:00PM on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00PM with Rev. Fr. James Challancin to officiate. An American Legion service will be held at 1:45PM before the Mass.
A luncheon will follow the service in the parish hall. Interment will take place in the Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.

Walter's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where friends and relatives may leave a note of remembrance.