Walter Blue

Walter Blue, age 86, of Monmouth, IL. passed away at his residence in Monmouth on Wednesday September 5, at 7:44 pm. Walter was born on September 25, 1925 in Brooksville, Mississippi and is the son of Reverend V.D. and Laura Belle Clayton Blue. His early life in Mississippi, Walter came to Monmouth at the age of fourteen and resided with the Ed and Pauline Patterson family. In 1944 Walter entered the U.S.Army and served in both World War II and the Korean War attaining the rank of Sargent First Class. Walter continued to serve until retiring from the Army reserves in 1975. Walter was first married to Florence Gibson and then later married Kay Brahmstedt on April 29, 1967 in Galesburg, Illinois. She preceded him on December 3, 2009. Walter first worked as a cement finisher and plasterer in the Monmouth area. He then was employed at the John Deere East Moline Works where he worked from 1964 to his retirement in 1987. Walter has been a member of St. James A.M.E. Church of Monmouth for over sixty years serving on it's Steward Board. Walter also served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and also the Community Medical Center Care at Home. He is a member of Marion B. Fletcher Post 136 American Legion, the W.L. Darrow Masonic Lodge # , the Tri-Cities Consistory No. 82, the Masqat Temple #141, the Warren County YMCA, and the Community Medical Center Auxialary. Walter has received many local recognitions including, Volunteer of the Year by Warren County YMCA , Layperson of the Year from the Monmouth Kiwanis Club, and the Bruce Shimmin Volunteer of the year award. Walter loved to swim at the YMCA, he loved baseball and especially the yearly Old Timers Game in Monmouth, and also was an avid " Street Walker " Walter is survived by two sons Rodney (Cindy) Blue of Galesburg, Illinois and Ralph (Ella) Brooks of Gainsville, FL.; three daughters Christa Blue of Galesburg, Illinois; and Stacey ( Randy) Meth of Monmouth, IL and Cindy Brooks of Watertown, MA. Walter raised his grandson Dustin (Morgan) Olinger in his home and also has four additional grandsons and one granddaughter. He has two great granddaughters and three great grandsons. There is one sister surviving, Ernestine (John) Harris, of Memphis, TN. Walter has an adopted family to include, the late Charles and Sandy Patterson of Monmouth, and Harry (Molly) Patterson of Atlanta, GA., and five sisters Hattie Wallace, Theresa (James) Russell, Sharon Patterson, Carol (Gabriel) Randolph all of Monmouth, and Connie Lucas of Springfield, MO. Special friends survive, Ed and Robin Cooper of Monmouth,IL. Preceding Walter in death are his parents and four brothers and six sisters. Services:Cremation has been accorded. A memorial service and military Honors will be at Noon on Tuesday September 11, 2012 at the American Legion in Monmouth, Illinois. Fellowship will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds are being established for Illinois Area 4 Special Olympics, or St. Judes's Childrens Hospitals, or OSF Holy Family Auxiliary.