Walter D Shamblin

Walter D. Shamblin, age 80, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at Galesburg Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, on April 30, 2013 at 11:36 pm. Walter was born on March 2, 1933 in Ponemah, Illinois and is the son of Clinton and Margaret Smith Shamblin. Walt was raised in Ponemah and the Kirkwood rural area and attended Kirkwood High School He Married Bonnie Jean Howell Vanskike on October 1, 1977 in Monmouth. She currently survives. Walter enlisted in the Army and was a cook, stationed in Africa during the Korean War. After his service, Walter first was a farm hand locally, and also worked in delivery for Vaughn Furniture and Storage of Monmouth, Illinois. He then worked for a number of years as a machinist at Wells Pet Foods, and then for many years as a meat cutter for both Wilson Foods and Illinois Pork Corp. Lastly, he was a machinist for S.K. Wellman of Levergne, Tennessee where he turned clutch plates and ground brake drums until his retirement. Walt loved to fish and fed his squirrels in the back yard to the point of taming them. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He loved his C.B. radio and tinkering in the garage. He also loved to play the bass guitar. Surviving him is his wife, Bonnie Jean Shamblin of Monmouth and nine children, Karen Hume of Texhoma, TX; Bonnie Johnston of Monmouth, IL; Diana (Gary) Jones of Monmouth, IL; Everette (Roberta) Vanskike of Smyrna, TN; Billy (Cindy) Vanskike of Monmouth, IL; Donnie Shamblin of Prairie City, IL; Tammy Shamblin of Galesburg, IL; Tracy and Scott Shamblin Campbell of Galesburg, Illinois; and Eva Marie Vanskike-Ponder of Monmouth, Illinois. There are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Three brothers survive, Dale Shamblin of Monmouth, IL; Len Shamblin of Galesburg, IL; and Charles Shamblin of Galesburg, IL. and two sisters Pat Holsinger of Monmouth, IL; and June (Noel) Grabowski of Galesburg, Illinois. One sister in law, Patsy Shamblin survives along with numerous nieces and nephews. Walter is preceded in his death by his parents, two sisters Ruby Shamblin and Mary Karmer and three brothers Richard, Wayne, and Edward Shamblin; a grandson Seth Ponder, great grandson Isaiah Lewis, and great granddaughter Amy Lucas Services:A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday May 4. 2013 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Interment with military honors will be in Monmouth Cemetery. His family plans visitation being present at Turnbull Funeral Home for an hour prior to the service 10:00 to 11:00 am A memorial fund is being established for Monmouth Nursing Home.