Mark, 70, was born in Danville, Ill. Sept. 3, 1953, to parents, Barbara Lou (Martin) and Coy Dean Walter. Mark received his heavenly wings while he slept with his wife of 44 years at his side in Malvern, Pa. on July 19, 2024. 

Mark’s family moved to Covington, Ind. where he loved growing up on the farm, his pony (Sandy), attending Rabb Elementary School, sneaking across the woods to play with the Bushue boys, playing trumpet in the high school band and graduating from Covington High School (1971). Mark attended Indiana University in Terre Haute and after college, worked for Hyster while obtaining his commercial pilot’s license. When crop dusting in Ohio for Mid-Ohio Chemical, he met his future wife, Kathleen Frazier. They were married in 1980 and moved to Lake Charles, La. where they raised their three children.

Mark’s career (and hobby) was flying. He worked for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. flying to offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and crop dusting for his friend, Bill Rice, at Bi-State Helicopters. In his spare time, riding his Harley was sheer joy with his fellow pilot, Mike Boyd, friends, and his brothers-in-law.

Upon retirement, Mark and Kathy moved to Covington where he enjoyed his class of ’71 luncheons, friends, and family. He enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, Landon and Hunter Hicks, with his step-grandsons, Press and Kyle Welch and his new granddaughter, Callie Welch born this past April. He also spoiled his grand-dogs, Mack and Zeke by feeding them popcorn!

His greatest joy was watching his children grow up to become wonderful, caring, independent individuals with equally caring spouses.

Mark is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Sarah Elizabeth (James) Welch with step-grandsons, Press and Kyle Welch, and granddaughter, Callie Welch of Iowa, La.; Stephanie Ann (Kevin) Hicks with grandsons, Landon and Hunter of Exton, Pa.; and son, Mark Ryan (Ashley Gotreaux) Walter of Iowa, La. Also surviving with fond memories are his brothers, Paul Dean (Sheila) Walter of Indianapolis, Ind., and Glen James Walter of Attica, Ind. as well as several relatives and in-laws.

Mark was preceded in death by an infant brother, John; his parents; grandparents, and other close relatives. His cremation was entrusted to Mauger-Givnish Funeral Home, Malvern, Pa. His final arrangements will be at Shelby & Keller Funeral Home, Covington, Ind. with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery at a future date.

“Here’s to blue skies, smooth air, and rotors that never stop! We’ll take it from here, Captain!”