Walter Detring

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Walter Charles Detring, 93, of Farmington passed away Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, at Presbyterian Manor.

He was born Nov. 9, 1925, in Farmington, the oldest child of Henry and Ethel LePere Detring. He was named after his uncle, Walter LePere, who was killed in France during World War I.

He was raised on the family farm south of Libertyville, Missouri, where they raised corn, hay and polled Hereford cattle.

He married Geraldine "Jeri" Shannon on May 25, 1948. They were married almost 55 years, when she died May 3, 2003. He married Jessie Johnson Bess on Dec. 26, 2004. Jessie died Dec. 11, 2013.

Walter graduated from Libertyville School, Farmington High School and Southeast Missouri State University. He taught school for 13 years, including seven years at Belleview School. After he retired from teaching, he was a substitute mail carrier. He served as an auxiliary police officer for the City of Farmington and also owned a car wash in Farmington. Walter enjoyed taking cross-country motorcycle trips. Walter and Jeri moved from the farm in Libertyville to Farmington in 1985.

Walter was a member of Libertyville United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. He also attended Hurryville Free Will Baptist Church.

Survivors include his sons, Kenneth (Dawn) Detring of Jackson and Wayne (Lydia) Detring of Franklin, Tennessee; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren -- Amanda (Brian) Bonfanti and their children, Mia and Blake of Wildwood, Missouri; Meredith (Jason) Holt and their children, Ethan and Rylan of Jackson; Sarah Detring of Nashville, Tennessee; Derek (Elizabeth) Detring and their children, Derek Jr., Libby and Stevie of Houston -- brother, Stanley Detring of Owensboro, Kentucky; and brother-in-law, Dr. Bedford Knipschild of Marshall, Missouri. He is also survived by his special friend, Mynaun Brown.

He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Kathryn Knipschild and Dorothy Detring; daughter-in-law, Barbara Crane Detring; and sister-in-law, Gail Detring.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at noon Saturday at C.Z. Boyer and Son, Taylor Chapel in Farmington. Interment will follow at Libertyville Methodist Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Libertyville Methodist Cemetery.

View the obituary and share condolences online at www.czboyer.com.