Walter E. Barnewolt

He was born September 10, 1927 in Peoria to Adolph and Gladys (Dempster) Barnewolt. He married the love of his life Charlene Johnson on October 1, 1950 in Peoria IL. She preceded him in death last September. His parents, one son, Jim Barnewolt, a brother, Harold and an infant brother also preceded him in death.

Walt is survived by his three children; Marty, John (Barbara) and Dan Barnewolt. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Michelle (Luke) Greenwalt, Zach, Kelby Barnewolt, great grandchildren; Logan, Vivian Greenwalt.

Walt started his first job at the young age of 10, peddling grocery store hand bills to neighbor houses where he earned $0.50 for delivering 200. Some of them were conveniently “lost” and he never got hired for that job again. At 12 he was hired to sit in the window of the Sherwin Williams store, demonstrating a “Magic Stylus” that burnt lines into wood which he would then fill in with paint. He ushered at the Madison Theater and worked at Skelly gas station at the corner of Forest Hill, Loucks and University, pumping gas and doing car maintenance. His family owned a garage and he started working on cars at a young age, a talent he continued throughout his life. Weekends would often find him working on restoring a vintage VW Karmen Ghia in his garage.

Walt served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, stationed in Guam. After returning from the war he attended Bradley University and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He started his career with Caterpillar in 1950 and over his time there worked in many different areas and departments, including engineering, drafting, sales and marketing. Caterpillar’s Engine Division took them overseas to Geneva, Switzerland where the young family lived for 7 years, traveling and exploring all over Europe. From skiing in the Swiss Alps to taking a wrong turn and ending up briefly on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall, they made the most of their time overseas.

After the family returned stateside in 1970, Walt continued to travel all over the world for Caterpillar until he moved into the marketing department in Mossville. He visited CAT Dealers in 46 states and 35 countries during his time with Caterpillar. He retired in 1990. He once said he had no idea what it would be like to not get up and get dressed in a suit and tie every day. He quickly got over that concern and his typical uniform for many, many years was a sweatshirt and jeans no matter what the occasion. He had nicer sweatshirts for family gatherings and dining out, and others for working in his workshop or garden.

Walt and Charlene raised 4 boys, which was an adventure in itself. Motorcycles, dirt bikes and cars were constantly being ridden, modified and repaired in the driveway.

Dirt bikes and cars changed to dolls and pink frilly things when their granddaughter Michelle arrived. They took her into their home and raised her as their daughter, starting over with late night feedings and diapers at the age of 48. They gave her a world of love and opportunities for which she will always be grateful.

Walt’s golden years were spent doing what he loved. He and Charlene enjoyed going out to eat and had their routine of regular restaurants they ate at each day of the week. They often had standing breakfast dates with friends. He researched the family’s genealogy, wrote a book about his life for his family, worked in his garden and painted. He went sailing with his neighbor and at least once a season managed to fall into the Peoria river. By his count, over the years he and Charlene had traveled to 16 different countries and 39 different states.

He started his own wood working business, making beautiful things for friends and family. He remodeled Charlene’s kitchen and worked with his sons on building projects at their homes. He enjoyed driving around the Peoria area, seeing the changes on the back winding roads. He would often stop and critique new homes being constructed, at times being mistaken for a builder or supervisor on the project as he wandered through the open walls and 2 x 4’s – a mistake he never bothered to correct.

Walt would happily talk to anyone, he never met a stranger. He’d say something to someone and before you knew it they would be chatting like old friends. He was always running into people he knew, at restaurants, stores and even on vacation.

The highlight of Walt’s later years were his grandchildren. As soon as they could hold a hammer he had them in his workshop making things, painting, hammering and learning. He taught them how to take toys apart and to explore how things are made. As the kids got older he was impressed with what they created, from a Tesla coil in the basement to a compressor powered potato cannon. He loved spending time with them, and they felt the same way about him.

Walt was a member of A.S.M.E. for 58 years, the Vintage Aircraft Association and Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria.

Cremation will be accorded and a memorial service will be Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. Burial of the urn will follow the service at Parkview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WTVP or Trinity Lutheran Church. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.davison-fulton.com.