The passing of Fred Walton

 (c) 2021 by Frederick E. Walton, Walton Family Historian

It is my sad duty to report the passing of my father, Frederick Stanley Walton (1930-2021).

Frederick Stanley Walton (1930-2021)

Dad had been ill the last couple of years having been diagnosed with lymphoma and prostate cancer. The cancer had spread to his liver. I hesitate to say "suffering" because every time I talked to him our conversation started out the same.

 "Hi Dad, it's Rick, How ya doing?"

"I'm GREAT, Rick, how are you"

He was always "GREAT!", even though I know there were times he was not. Some times it was revealed, through much probing, or a hint from a sibling, that he had fallen, or wasn't really feeling well or had just  come back from the hospital!

"oh ...that..." he would say. "Yeah, I tripped and fell, ... it was no big deal...but now my whole side is black and blue!"

Dad, always had a positive attitude and never burdened his children with his pain. I can't imagine he didn't suffer more than he let on throughout his cancer treatment, but he had faith in his doctors and faith in God and somehow patiently suffered in silence.

Dad wasn't always patient...He was a crewcut conservative raising a bunch of long haired hippie sons in the late 60's and early 70's.... But that's a story for another time.

Fred and his sons at Lake Ontario in 1964. He still sported his crewcut a decade later. 

Somehow among the pressures of managing his career, raising a family, caring for aging in-laws and trying to keep everything afloat during the turmoil and inflation of the 70's he found peace in the Lord. He wasn't a bible thumping, in your face, giant cross on his chest, "born-again and you should be too" type of Christian. He developed a personal relationship, one any of us could have and all of us should have, with his Lord and Savior. Each morning his alarm went off early and he would come around and make sure we were getting ready for school, then he spent the next hour in a quiet, meditative, personal devotion, reading his bible, praying and who knows what else. It was his time...and we knew not to disturb him.  

We had always gone to church but after this he started taking on a bigger role, becoming first a student, then an Elder, a teacher, a leader. 

Dad's personality changed then too. Not in a phony way,  he wasn't trying to impress anyone, but he genuinely found inner peace and was able to deal with people on a different level. If you ever met him, you'd know what I mean. He lived by biblical principles, but he wasn't an umpire, getting out the "rulebook" to tell you chapter and verse what you are doing wrong.   

MATTHEW 7:1  "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Dad, lived his life, in an unavoidably sinful world, but he took responsibility for his actions and by setting a good example was able to influence those around him in a positive way. That's not to say he was perfect! (just ask Mom!) None of us are, but he was humble enough to acknowledge and learn from mistakes making him stronger and stronger as time went on.

I could go on, but the point is he was very fortunate to discover a path to the Lord that led to a level of inner peace throughout his life resulting in a positive influence on everyone he met.

Dad found himself in the hospital more frequently recently. He had great praise for the nurses and doctors giving him care, but was always glad to get back home. This latest episode in the hospital left him weak and tired. He came home in an ambulance and was rolled in on a gurney. He was too weak to get out of bed and my sisters stepped up to the challenge of making him comfortable in his final days. Those of us too distant to visit spent time with him on the phone or Face Time.  

 "Hi Dad, it's Rick, How Ya doing?"

"I'm tired"

Sadly, We knew the end was near. We shed some tears and said goodbye, each in our own way.

In the end he was surrounded by his daughters and Mom. My brother, the Reverend Greg Walton and his wife Edith, had called to pray with Dad. As the prayer ended, Dad quietly said "Amen" and took his final breath. 

He was at peace.

 What a lovely way to go, from a loving family to a loving Lord. He is home.

Obituary of Frederick Stanley Walton

Frederick S. Walton, 90, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at his home in Maybrook, N. Y. succumbing to cancer. He was born on April 6, 1930 in Tarrytown, New York to Frederick and Gertrude (Bell) Walton.

Dad's Parents

 

Fred grew up in Elmsford, Ardsley and White Plains. He graduated from Ardsley High School in 1948. Fred was a skilled trumpet player and basketball player in High school and later became an avid Golfer. 

After high school, he began a multifaceted career in banking spanning 47 years, starting as a bank teller at Scarborough National Bank. From there he began a 35 year career with the Household Finance Corporation managing several branches. Retiring from HFC in 1984 he was recruited to build a loan department for the Ellenville Savings Bank, which later merged with Pawling Savings Bank, where he retired as Vice President of Loans in 1995.

1 June 1957- Jeanne Packhiser and Frederick S. Walton

 

Fred married Jeanne Packhiser on June 1, 1957 in Middletown N. Y. They were happily married for 63 years. They raised five children.  In the mid to late 1970’s, Fred was a member of the Middletown Lions Club; and served as Vice President of the Orange County Cooperative Extension Association; and Chairman of the Orange County 4-H Executive Committee.  He has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Walden for nearly half a century serving as an elder, teacher and leader for many years. He loved Jesus and served in many volunteer capacities. He was a leader in Evangelism Explosion and a small groups leader for over 40 years. He also served the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a member of the LCEF board.  In his retirement Fred was an active volunteer with Good Samaritan in Walden and in recent years acted as a caregiver for his spouse.

Fred Walton Chairman of the Orange County 4-H Executive Committee

 Fred was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed serving Jesus, leading worship on occasion, and helping people with his expertise in financial matters. Fred had a great sense of humor, was humble, patient and a man of prayer. 

Fred surrounded by some of his Children and grandchildren
Circa 2001

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Trudy Walton and his only brother Edgar Walton. He is survived by his spouse Jeanne Walton of Maybrook; his children: Mr. Frederick (Ruthann) Walton of Ocean Isle Beach, N. C.; Mrs. Desiree Lonsway (Phil) of Houston, Tx.; Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton (Edith) of Orlando, Fla.; Mrs. Melissa Ochs (Michael) of Wallkill, N. Y.; and Mrs. Stacey Concors (Bruce) of Walden N. Y. He was also a proud grandfather of 5 grandchildren, Alex, Tim, Parker, Erika and Chloe and 5 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a future date.

 

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Good Samaritan, Walden, NY. 

Condolences may be left on Gridley-Horan Funeral Home’s online guest book at https://gridleyhoran.com/tribute/all-services/index.html.

Introducing Mary Walton Starling

 (C) 2021 By Frederick E. Walton Walton Family Historian

I recently received a package of photographs and information from a cousin, Rod La Croix, who I have become acquainted with only last year. His grandmother and my great-grandfather were siblings, so our family trees have parallel branches that join at the level of John and Eliza Walton, my great-great grandparents. This blog is about one of the stories that we have uncovered through this shared information.

George Walton (1864-1910), my great-grandfather, the son of John and Eliza Walton had eleven siblings. Many of them immigrated to America, including an older sister name Mary, known as "Polly" to some of her English family. Mary Walton (1859-1936) was recently married to John Starling (1863-1920) when they immigrated to America around 1885/6.  

Mary Walton Starling
(1859-1936)

There must have been somewhat of a close familial relationship between siblings George and Mary, especially since they were both foreigners living in a foreign land. They lived near each other in New Jersey when they first arrived, and then later both moved to adjoining towns in Westchester, N. Y. Where they settled down and raised families. 

We have uncovered her basic facts: when Mary was born (18 February 1859); Married (1885); and Died (20 Dec. 1936). The U.S. Federal Census tells us where she lived and who her children were. The documents Rod sent me included his grandmother's obituary, so I will start my introduction to Mary, at the end of her life.

Mary's obituary fills in some of her biography, but not all the details are exactly "correct". Attached is the transcription of her obituary and some footnotes to make clarifications of correction where known. Future blogs will try to fill in some of the the blanks surrounding Mary's Life.

Mary Walton Starling Obituary
Courtesy of grandson Rod La Croix

Obituary (newspaper source undocumented, probably an Ossining paper)

Transcribed by Frederick E. Walton

MRS. MARY WALTON STARLING

Mrs. Mary Walton Starling, seventy-six, died in the Ossining hospital at 8:40 o'clock yesterday morning [20 Dec. 1936] after an illness or four days. A heart attack was the cause of death.

The deceased was born in Manchester England¹ and came to the United states about 55 years ago², settling in Morristown, New Jersey.

Home of Maurice and Constance Starling La Croix
where Mary Walton Starling lived during her final years (1926-1936)
Photo (of his boyhood home) Courtesy of Rod La Croix

 About 30³ years ago she came to Ossining and has resided here and in Scarsborough since. At the time of her death she resided with her daughter, Mrs. Constance Lacroix, 1 Stephen place, Ossining.

John Starling Headstone at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Courtesy of grandson Rod La Croix

She was the window of John starling who died about 16 years ago⁴. They were married 51 years ago⁵.

Burial record in St. Mary's Register
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Scarsbourough, N. Y.
 

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Gertrude Chatten of Hawthorne, Miss Sissil Starling of Valhalla, Mrs. Alice Lewis of Briarcliff Manor and Mrs. Constance La Croix of Ossining; one son, George Starling of Ossining⁶, and a brother, Charles Walton⁷.

Starling headstone in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Courtesy of grandson Rod La Croix

Funeral services will be held from the late residence at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The Reverend Charles W. Baldwin, rector of Saint Mary's Church, Scarsborough will officiate. Interment will be in Sleepy Hollow cemetery, Tarrytown, New York.

Notes:

1. Mary Walton was born on 18 February 1859 in Appleby-Magna, Leicestershire, England to John Walton (1830- 1890), Coachman, and Eliza (Bonsell) (1830-1893) Walton. Her early years were spent in Appleby and Cheddleton. Her parents and some of her siblings moved to Manchester in the late 1800’s where she likely corresponded with them, perhaps giving her American family the impression that this is where she was from.

   

   1859 Birth Certificate for Mary Walton 
   from the Walton Archive 
   courtesy of Gayle Walton Judd

   
   
2. 55 years ago would be 1881 and is probably too early. I have made a study of U. S. Federal and State Census records from 1900-1930  (1890 is, of course, unavailable).The date of immigration is documented as 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1890 with 1885 the most consistent. There is a record for a Mary and John Starling arriving in NY on 17 April 1886, but this has not been verified as being totally correct.
3. “About 30 years ago” is 1906. They are living in Ossining as early as 1 June 1905 when the 1905 New York State census was enumerated.
4. John Henry Starling was buried 9 July 1920 (Death date not recorded) That is 16 years earlier.
5. Married in Prestwich, Lancashire, England in 4Q1885, 51 years ago. 
6. Her children in birth order are:
1. Gertrude M. Starling (1886-1959) married Hugh Thurgil Chatten (1884-1955)
2. Sissil Starling (1889-1970) (Never Married)
3. Rueben W. Starling (1890-1891)
4. Alice Louise Starling (1893-1965) married John William Louch Lewis (Jack) (1886-1938) second marriage to Frank Raymond Smith.
5. Margaret Starling (1895-1895)
6. Constance Wilhelmina Starling (1896-1967) Married Maurice Fernand Joseph Lacroix (1889-1977)
7. George Starling (1897-1969) Never Married
8. Both the 1900 and 1910 census have a question to declare number of Children Born and Number of Children surviving to which she answered: 8 and 5.  In later Census records they have 5 Children
7. Mary Walton was the 4th Daughter and 4th child. She had 12 Siblings, of which Charles Walton (1874-1954) was the youngest and 12th child. He was living in the Bronx when Mary Died. Her brother John Joseph  Walton ( 1862-1936) of Washington, D. C. predeceased her by 6 months. Her sister Rosalia Alberta Walton (1870-1937) of Manchester, English (twice Married- Williams/Taylor) outlived her by almost 6 months. Her other siblings were deceased by the time she died. Her Brother George Walton (1864-1910) is also buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.