Roberta Walter, 81

Roberta Donabelle Walter, 81, of Three Rivers, MI., passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Borgess Medical Center of Kalamazoo following a brief illness. She was born on July 29, 1928 in Centreville, MI. the daughter of William Willis and Eleanore (Schumm) Walter.

Ms. Walter was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class of 1947. She employed at Sunshine Dairy and Eddy Paper Co. before joining the Women Marines. She had always dreamed about becoming a Woman Marine since she was a little girl. Roberta was one of the only two girls out of forty seven Michigan applicants who were interviewed and able to pass along with completing the necessary physical and mental tests to finalize the enlistment process. Her Platoon was the honor platoon of her class. Private First Class Roberta Walter was the first Woman Marine from the Kalamazoo recruiting district to graduate from boot camp since World War II.

After her time in the service she worked as an accountant and cleric for Montgomery Ward’s, Continental Can Co. later Fonda Corporation, and also Essex Wire Co. She later volunteered for the Domestic Assault Shelter of Three Rivers. She was a life long member of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts and uncles.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving family, two brothers, William (Ruth) Walter, of Three Rivers, James (Delores) Walter, of California, one aunt, Florence “Flossi” Roberts, of Three Rivers, nieces and nephews, Janice, Lucinda, Scott, James Jr., Frederick, and Melodie Walter.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July, 30, 2010, at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Alan Stadelman officiating.

Interment will be held in Riverside Cemtery, with Military Honors under the auspices of the American Legion Hice-Shutes Post #170.

Memorials may be donated to the St. Peters’s Lutheran Church Roof Fund. Envelopes available at the funeral home.