June 16, 1936 – May 14, 2018
Marlene Kay Walker, 81, of Florida, went to be with her Lord on Monday, May 14, 2018. Born June 16, 1936 in Bloomington, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Alva “Bud” and Mary Smith.
Following her High School studies, Marlene continued forward with her education at Indiana University where she would earn two separate degrees in the field of Linguistics, as well as being inducted as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Following her years at IU, Marlene pursued teaching English as a second language. She began her teaching career at the University of Illinois, and would later work within the Rochester, Minn., Public School System. While in Minnesota, Marlene was very active in the community. She was instrumental in creating programs for the wives of Mayo Clinic residents, as well as programs at IBM for the wives of their exchange employees. With her guidance, these programs were able to continue for many years.
Marlene and her husband loved to travel, and they were very active within the churches that they attended, wherever they happened to be living at the time. One thing Marlene had a great passion for was Christian Missions work. Together, she and Allen served on many short term mission trips, including three to Brazil, one to Guatemala, two to Turkey and one to Malta. They also went on three missions to Bangkok, Thailand, where they continued teaching English as a second language at the Baptist Student Center in Bangkok for a total of 10 months. She also enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens, and sometimes just relaxing with a good book.
Marlene is survived by the love of her life, and her partner through life’s journey, Allen L. Walker. She and Allen were married in 1959. She is also survived by her two children, Fanya Houston, Lake Mary, Fla.; and Travis Walker (Sharon), Columbus Ohio; her foster daughter, Phal Suey, Columbus, Ohio; and by her six grandchildren, William Houston, Benjamin Houston, Aria Houston, Emily Walker, Noah Walker and Timothy Walker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Stephen Houston; and by her sister, Norma Silvers, Bloomington, Ind.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from noon until the time of service. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, Florida 32862 or online at wycliffe.org.
Arrangements
Calling: Noon to 2 p.m., June 7
Service: 2 p.m., June 7
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: KerchevalFuneralHome.com