OBIT: Harry Ream WALKER, 2007, New Centerville, Somerset County, PA

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WALKER, Harry Ream

Harry Ream Walker, New Centerville, departed this life Feb. 17, 2007, at 
Somerset Hospital. Born May 16, 1918, on the family farm in Milford Township to 
Harry Jonas Walker and Anna Elizabeth Ream Walker. We wanted to keep him awhile 
longer, it was not to be. So now we celebrate his life well-lived. Along with 
his mother and father, he joins his dear sister, Jean and husband, Richard 
Walker; brothers-in-law, Harold (Lucille) and Paul Knoll; and son-in-law, Robert 
Benford. Ream leaves behind his beloved "Dot" Dorothy Elizabeth Knoll Walker. 
They would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on Sept. 7, 2007. Daughters, Ann 
Elizabeth Benford (Stanley) Brooks, Scullton; Judy Lynn (Kerry) Kreger, 
Markleton; Kathleen Joan (Tom L. ) Hoffman, Berlin; and son, Mark Henry (Kathryn 
Mognet) Walker, on the farm; grandchildren, Lisa Rae Benford (Wes) Cook, Indian 
Head; Eric Robert Benford and friend, Holly, Fairfield; Melissa Joan Kreger 
(Matthew) Lintz, Rockwood; Kimberly Joann Kreger (Benjamin) Whipkey, Fairhope; 
Lee Thomas Hoffman; Andrew Mark Walker; Gina Renee Walker and friend, Dusten; 
Stephen Brent Walker and friend, Jessica; Jared Michael Walker; and Julie 
Christen Walker; great-grandchildren, Matthew Ream Snyder, Colt Jeffrey Bowman, 
Santana Lynn Bowman, Alexa Ann Lintz, Tyler Jacob and Levi Chase Whipkey. Also 
survived by Aunt Maebelle Ream Barron, widow of Henry, Apollo and sister-in-law, 
Jolene Knoll, Allison Park; nieces and nephews, Dorothy (Paul) Bibbee, Walker, 
W.Va.; John (Diane) Knoll, Clarksburg, W.Va.; Barbara Jo (Richard) Brown, 
Binghamton, N.Y.; Ridge (Jennifer) Walker, Somerset; William (Diana) Knoll, 
Kenai, Alaska; Cheryl (Mark) Guardiani, Allison Park; 14 grand-nieces and 
nephews; cousins, Marlonna (Bill) Moore, Apollo; Twila (Bill) Gus, and Janet 
Yonai, Somerset; and Fred (Jeri) Walker, Michigan. Although he came of age 
during the Great Depression, he lead an idyllic life on the farm with his pony 
and pets, the smells of homemade bread, mock orange and roses, and the love of a 
Christian mother and father. He chose to be baptized in the waters of 
Middlecreek. Ream was first employed by the Rural Electric Association building 
the lines that would bring "lights" to rural Somerset County. Then Pearl Harbor 
called him to volunteer for the U.S. Army in 1942. Cpl. Walker served in the 
European Theatre with the 24th Engineers, 4th Armored Division, Company E 988th 
Treadway Bridge Company to Remagen, Germany. Following D-day in 1945, he 
returned to the farm. In 1947, he married "Dot" and they raised their family 
there. "Going to the barn" was his life continuing into his 88th year, well 
after his official retirement. He was a charter member of the New Centerville & 
Rural Volunteer Fire Co. serving many years as an assistant chief. He enjoyed a 
long tenure on the board of directors of Highland Mutual Insurance Co., Berlin. 
Both he and Dot dosidoed with the Wheelers and Dealers Square Dance Club. Ream 
was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, New Centerville. Friends will be 
received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Miller Funeral Home, 
Somerset, and from 10 a.m. until time of a service of remembrance at 11 a.m. 
Wednesday at Messiah Lutheran Church. Committal service following at Union 
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to Messiah Lutheran 
Church or the New Centerville fire department.

Daily American, February 20, 2007