Obituaries
Obituary for Walter Leo Fields, Jr.
DATELINE: CINCINNATI, OHWALTER LEO FIELDS, JR., age 92 passed away August 28, 2017. He was one of nine children of Mary Oma (Blandford) and Walter Fields, Sr. He was born in Straughn, Indiana, May 3, 1925, and grew up in Batesville, Indiana.Walter was married to Dorothy Abbott of Fulton, Illinois, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his five children: Terry Fields of Blackshear, GA; Kim Fields and wife Karen of Vandalia, OH; Scott Fields and wife Sherry of Aurora, WV; Susan Lightsey and husband Charlie of Blackshear, GA; and Mary Johnson and husband Mark of Fairfield, OH. He leaves behind six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and three siblings.Walter is a veteran of World War II where he served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was stationed in the Pacific as an aerial gunner. Before the war, he played minor league baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. He then went on to attend Butler University to study physical education and was part of both the baseball and basketball teams, where he played under legendary Coach Tony Hinkle. Later, he earned a masters degree from Purdue University. He had a career in education that spanned 40 years. He began teaching and coaching at the high school level in Indiana at Earl Park, Batesville, and Scecina Memorial. He also worked at Illinois Valley Community College, Edison State Community College, and Marian University where he held various administrative and coaching positions.Walter is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame All-State Silver Anniversary Team, Butler University Hall of Fame, Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame, and Marian University Athletic Wall of Fame. An endowed athletic scholarship was created in his name at Marian University in 2015.Walter and Dorothy retired to her familys tree farm in Fulton, Illinois, in 1989. History, genealogy, farming, planting trees, and caring for nature were his passions. He was an active humanitarian who sought to bring out the best in others.
MEMORIAL MASS: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, September 16, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Albany, IL OFFICIATING: Rev. Father Matthew Camaioni, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fulton, IL MEMORIAL VISITATION: 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. Friday, September 15, 2017 at the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home in Fulton, IL INTERMENT: Cottonwood Cemetery - rural Morrison, IL
To plant a tree in memory of Walter Leo Fields, Jr., visit the
Tribute Store.
Loading...