- Date Of Birth: April 2, 1926
- Date Of Death: March 15, 2014
- State: Michigan
Walter Kurt Scheibner, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Kalamazoo surrounded by loved ones. He was born April 2, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA, son of Otilla Freund and Albin Scheibner. From 1944-1946, Walter served in the United States Army in the 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion during WWII where he was stationed in Germany and was awarded many medals including a purple heart. After an honorable discharge from the army, he received a full scholarship for gymnastics at the University of Wyoming. There, he established and managed the men’s gymnastics team in which he competed and won many individual and team awards.
Mid-way through earning his Bachelor’s degree, he married June Hettrick on December 23, 1948. Upon graduation in 1950, Walt and June moved to Cheyenne, WY where they settled down from 1950-1956. During this time, the first three of his four children were born. In 1956 Walter and his family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he began his 32 year, very fulfilling career with the Kalamazoo Public School system as a Guidance Counselor from which he retired in 1988. In 1959, the last of his four children was born. Walter continued his education and received his Masters 30 in Education from Western Michigan University. Walter enjoyed more than 60 years as an active member, Elder, and lay minister for the Community of Christ Church. His wife, June Scheibner, preceded him in death on August 10, 1983. Throughout his life, Walter was a devoted family man and truthfully, the greatest father of all time.
Surviving are his four children, Carol Scheibner of Independence, MO, Kurt Kazuko Scheibner of Sendai, Japan, Karl Patty Scheibner of Livermore, CA, and Colleen Mike Barker of Kalamazoo, MI; three grandchildren, Rie Charlie Chang, Kate Scheibner, and Brian Barker; one great-grandchild, Melody Chang. Also surviving and dearly loved are his companion of 17 years, Jean Wright, her daughter, Deb Jokela, two grandchildren, Alyss Stephanie Jokela, and Kara Jokela. Also surviving and beloved are his older brother Alfred Scheibner, numerous nieces and nephews including Inky Steve Kesterson, Belle Samir & son Eric Wahab, the Hettrick clan and scores of other beloved family and friends – too many to mention by name. Walter had a wide variety of interests including traveling, gardening, cooking & entertaining, going to plays and concerts, reading, and most of all helping others. He performed countless weddings, funerals and volunteered for years with organizations such as Hospice and the Gospel Mission. He had that special ability to make those around him feel special – Walter was a beacon of light and joy wherever he went; TRULY a great man who will live on in our hearts and minds forever. Walter decided to donate his body to the University of Michigan’s Medical School.
