Walter Werner

RICHMOND, Ind. – Walter Werner, age 75, of Richmond, died Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born August 12, 1938, in Richmond, to Karl G. and Pauline Drescher Werner, he was a life-long resident of this community. Walt was a 1956 graduate of Richmond High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran 82 Airborne Division. Walt was an agent for Nationwide Insurance and the owner of Werner Insurance Agency for 33 years. He was raised in and a former member of St. John Lutheran Church and currently a member of First English Lutheran Church. Walt was an active participant in the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research Study. Walt was always the helper of people. He would donate his uncommon blood type after receiving a late night phone call from the hospital. He considered his clients as friends, advising and assisting them above and beyond. He would load his car trunk with a snow blower to dig out the driveway of those that couldn’t. His gift as a woodworker was used to make wooden circus trains for the children of friends and he was always involved in countless other woodworking projects. Walt never stopped giving of himself, whether it be to help out his family, church, or community. He was always up for an adventure. Whether it be skiing down the mountainside, putting a canoe on a river after a good rain, taking fishing trips with his brothers, or taking four teenagers across the country in a car to hike the mountains of Montana. His motto seemed to be about the importance of living now. That motto served him well. He loved the homeland of his ancestors, making several trips to Germany over the years. Walt enjoyed the food, music, and people from the village of Kocherstetten and surrounding areas, and incorporated this love into his own family. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Ruth Ann Kanke Werner, to whom he was married September 15, 1963; daughter and son-in-law, Susanna and Tim Tanner; grandchildren, Madison and Kennedy Tanner of Richmond; God-children, Gretchen Werner Burns, Eric Werner, Tom C. Kanke, Karen Cottongim Burge, and John Ray Newland; sister, Marilyn (John) Adkins of Richmond; brothers, George (Willodene) Werner of Toledo, Ohio, Henry R. (Colleen) Werner, William “Bill” A. (Venna) Werner, Robert Werner, and Adolph “Ott” (Norma) Werner, all of Richmond; nieces; nephews; cousins in Richmond and Germany; many friends; neighbors; and former clients. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frederick “Fritz” Werner; and special friend, Jim Wiesehahn. Visitation for Walter Werner will be from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 30, 2013, at First English Lutheran Church, 2727 East Main Street, Richmond, with Pastor John Walker officiating. Burial will be in Lutherania Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 200 1st Street SW, FF2-700, Rochester, MN 55905 or Hand-In-Hand Daycare of Richmond, 2727 East Main Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Walter Werner

August 12, 1938 - August 22, 2013