David A. Walton

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are requested to the David Walton Memorial to Be Designated at a Later Time.

David A. Walton was born on July 10, 1930 in Center, Nebraska to Cecil A. and Jennie (Bruce) Walton. He passed on Monday, December 23, 2024 at St. John’s nursing center in Kearney, Nebraska.

The family moved to a farm in Venus, Nebraska area where he grew up and attended a small rural school. Dave worked on the family farm and for neighbors until 1951 when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He went to San Diego, California for boot camp and infantry training at Camp Pendelton, California. In March 1952 Dave was sent to the Korean War where he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion and 7th Marine Division as a machine gunner attached to a rifle platoon. On October 6, 1952 he was wounded while defending O.P. Frisco, earning a Bronze Star and The Purple Heart. After 72 hours at a M.A.S.H. unit in Korea, he was sent on to a US Naval Hospital Ship Repose to Japan, Hawaii and to Oak Naval Hospital in Oakland, California where he had several operations and therapy treatments for his wounds. On July 1, 1953 he was given an Honorable Discharge for his service.

On September 21, 1953, Dave married Elizabeth A. Mathine in Creighton, Nebraska and they lived there while Dave worked for Knox County in the highway department. He never attended high school but earned his GED while in the service. In 1954 he received his diploma from Creighton Public School.

In September 1955 Dave and Betty moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he attended UNL and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Soil Conservation Service and Agronomy and that same year he went to work for the Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation Service) in McCook, Nebraska. In 1963 Dave was promoted to District Conservationist and they moved to Grant, Nebraska.

In 1966 he was transferred to Franklin, Nebraska where Dave and Betty chose to raise their family. They were happily married for over 71 years and had ten children: Joan, Dennis, Doug, Julie, Pat, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Michael, and Donna. They all attended Franklin Public schools and participated in sports and numerous other activities.

Dave was elected to the Franklin School Board and was President of the Board of Education when the second phase, the high school wing, of the school was finished.

Dave retired from the Soil Conservation Service in 1988 and was elected to the Board of County Supervisors in November of that year. He served on that Board for 24 years. He also served on the Trailblazer RC & D, lower Republican NRD and on the Region Three Behavioral Health Service for 24 years. Dave was Chairman of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors for 10 years and was voted the Outstanding Nebraska County Official of the Year in 2012.

Dave enjoyed gardening, working in the yard, always trying new plants and grasses. A couple of his favorites were his cone flowers and May Night Salva. Dave also spent countless hours at his 80 acre farm east of town. Some of his fondest memories were playing games in the backyard with his children when playing Annie Annie over, Pump Pump Pull away and ball games, plus there was always a pitch game going on. Special occasions were family birthdays, anniversaries and hunting trips to the Verdige, Nebraska area to hunt turkey with his sons and his brother Larry and nephew A.J. Walton.

Dave was a lifetime member of VFW Post 5757 serving as Commander for many years and also belonged to American Legion Post 209.

Dave will be forever remembered by his wife Betty; children Joan (Roger) Dorn, Franklin, Dennis (Debra) Walton, London, AR, Douglas (Amy) Walton, Franklin, Julie (Steve) Rinehart, Osceola, NE, Patrick (Mary Jane) Walton, Grand Island, Jane (Rich) Studnicka, Waco, NE, Mary (Scott) Minnick, Riverton, NE, Mike Walton, Omaha, and Donna (Kevin) Brown, Beatrice; sister Mary Ann (Lefty) Robison, Blair, NE; sister-in-law Maria Walton, Creighton, NE; twenty grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Jennie; infant daughter Elizabeth Ann Walton; sister Margaret Risinger and husband Leonard, Alice W. Kotrous and husband Vacie; brothers Bruce and wife Dorothy, Robert and wife Romas, Bill, Archie and wife Glenda, Larry and wife Betty, infant brother Percy.

Visitation with the family will be 6:00 to 7:30pm Thursday at St. Katharine-Drexel Catholic Church, Franklin, Nebraska with the Rosary being at 7:30pm. The family Mass will be Friday morning at St. Katharine-Drexel Catholic Church with Father Paul Frank as the Celebrant. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin will follow. Military Rights will be given by the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard and American Legion Post 209, Franklin.

A memorial Celebration Gathering for friends and family will be held 12:00pm to 2:00pm Friday following the interment at the Franklin County Fairgrounds Ag. Center. Everyone is welcome to come and share in this Celebration with the Walton family.