Dr. Walter Hutton

Dr. Walter William Hutton, D.O., 79, of Oak Ridge and formerly of Jackson, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2003, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Longtime area residents will remember his former practice located in the home north of the courthouse in Jackson, on the corner of East Washington and North High streets.

Dr. Hutton was born Aug. 7, 1923, in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, Canada, son of William John and Winnie Sinden Hutton. He graduated from high school in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, and shortly thereafter joined the Canadian army and served in the European Theatre from 1944 to 1946, part of that time being spent in the Medical Corps.

After discharge from the service, he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan. He then enrolled at Kirksville College of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Mo. On May 24, 1952, two weeks prior to his graduation, he and Shirley Jean Finney were united in marriage.

Dr. Hutton interned at McCormick Osteopathic Hospital in Moberly, Mo., and in 1953 moved with his family to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he had a limited practice. In 1954, they moved to Keytesville, Mo., where he had a family practice. In 1956, they moved to Jackson, where he maintained his full-time family practice until 1989. He and Shirley then moved to Oak Ridge.

During his years in Jackson, Dr. Hutton served as anesthesiologist from 1956 to 1969 for the former Cape Osteopathic Hospital and from 1969 to 1983 for Chaffee General Hospital.

His affiliations in professional organizations were Southeast District and Missouri Associations of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Osteopathy.

During his 47-year active membership at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, he had served as an elder, Sunday school teacher and choir member. He also served on the church's mission committee and the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery Mission Committee.

For a short time recently, he was on the board of directors of Cape Area Habitat for Humanity.

In addition to his wife, Shirley, loving survivors are a son, William Kirt Hutton of Scott City; two sisters, Grace Seigo of British Columbia and Ruby Mitchell of Moosomin, Saskatchewan; a brother-in-law, Ronald Finney and wife Margaret of Raytown, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Scott G. and Evan Lee Hutton; one brother; and three sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson and after 1 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

Celebration service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the church, followed by interment in Russell Heights Cemetery. Dr. Grant Gillard will officate.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Presbyterian Church or the charity of the donor's choice.