"Jean. I?m so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad! He was a great man! I remember a conversation he and my Dad had about purchasing a Mercedes vehicle. He said ?Dean if you buy one of these you won?t need another vehicle for at least 20 years?. My dad replied to him yes but I can buy 4 vehicles for the price of one of those. Hugs and prayers to you and your family!"
In loving memory of
Jerome Bernard Walker
May 18, 1934 - July 16, 2025
Jerome Bernard Walker of Washington, IN died on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Mr. Walker was born May 18, 1934 in Loogootee, IN to W. Austin Walker Sr. and Agnes (Dooley) Walker, both of whom preceded him in death. On September 7, 1959, he was united in marriage to Laurinda Lee Quill, who survives.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, he is survived by six daughters and two sons: Therese Walker of Greenwood, IN; Sheila Walker of Fort Wayne, IN; Dr. Jean (Gerry) Godfrey of Bargersville, IN; Martha (Greg) Walker of Louisville, KY; Monica (Chris) Foye of Indianapolis, IN; Austin (Livia) Walker of Mooresville, IN; Deacon Ed (Cristie) Walker of Evansville, IN; and Rosemary (Gary) Tiplick of Carmel, IN. He is also survived by two sisters, Rachel Doyle of Loogootee, IN and Eloise McCarty of Powell, OH, and by nine grandsons, six granddaughters, one great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his brothers William Austin Walker Jr. and Fintan Walker and his sisters Patricia Walker and Marilyn Smith.
Mr. Walker attended Campion Jesuit High School in Wisconsin from 1948 to 1950 and graduated from Loogootee High School in 1952. He went on to study pharmacy at Purdue University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, serving as a pharmacist in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. In 1962 he opened Walker Pharmacy in Washington, IN. He built the Washington Nursing Center in 1969 and the Loogootee Nursing Center in 1985, purchasing the Martin County Nursing Center in 1987.
Mr. Walker was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, joining when he was 18 years old, becoming a Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree. He was also a member of the Elks, Rotary International, the Indiana Pharmacist Association, and the American Pharmacist Association. Mr. Walker was a member of the Marian Heights Academy School Board in Ferdinand, IN, and served as president for 17 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church (formerly St. Simons) in Washington; President of the St. Simon's Parish Council; President of the PTO at Washington Catholic Schools; President of the Washington Catholic School Board; and President of the Washington Catholic Endowment. Mr. Walker served as a member of the YMCA Board of Directors, organized the Catholic Radio Mass broadcast for the Washington Deanery, and was President of Mary's Children, a Franciscan retreat center in Bloomington, IN. He and his wife, Laurinda, were recipients of the Bruté Award presented by the Evansville Diocese to people who demonstrate a lifelong commitment to sharing their time, talent, treasure, and testimony in service to their parish and the wider Church community.
Throughout his life, Mr. Walker served as an anchor in his community, providing steady leadership and unwavering dedication to the people of Washington and the surrounding area. His commitment to service was evident in every organization he touched.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ed Lee Mortuary, North Chapel, 620 East Viola Street, Washington, IN 47501. A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. Additional visitation will be Monday, July 21 at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Washington, IN. The funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. with Fr. Paul Ferguson and Fr. Kenneth Walker officiating.
Internment will be at the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center, in Bloomington, IN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Walker's name to the Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center, payable to Mary's Children, P.O. Box 27, Washington, IN 47501