The much beloved, Walter Gladbach passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the age of 98. Born March 27, 1923, in Mendon, Mo., the son of Chris and Gertrude (Joseph) Gladbach. On February 18, 1950, he was united in marriage to Wanda Mae Hunt, who preceded him in death on February 21, 2001. Also preceding him in death are his daughter, Rita; granddaughter, Sara; great grandson, Dalton; and second wife, Marie.
Walter leaves behind a family who loved and respected him. He is survived by his three sons, James (Brenda) Gladbach, John (Sharon) Gladbach, and Alvin (Danette) Gladbach, and three daughters, Cheryl (Bob) Howard, Norine (Brad) Eitel, and Christeen Cresswell; 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
A man of strong faith and service, Walter served the nation as a Marine in World War II. He trained as a radioman, served at Saipan and Okinawa, and was among the occupation forces in Japan at the end of the war. A resident of La Plata since 1957, Walter took great pride in serving the community as a city alderman, EMT, housing board secretary, and American Legion commander. After retiring from the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in 1983, he enjoyed restoring and running steam engines and small gasoline engines at Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers and Macon Flywheel, a pastime he shared with his son Alvin and grandsons Chad and Chesston.
To his family and friends, Walter was a gentle, soft-spoken, selfless individual. He remained humble and a lifelong learner, always seeking first to understand rather than be understood.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2021 at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, Missouri. Burial will be in the Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Hurricane Branch near Mendon, Missouri.
Rosary and prayer service will be 5:00 p.m. Thursday, November 11, 2021 with visitation from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary Immaculate Catholic Church or La Plata Public Library. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.