Walter Mensch

He was born on September 3, 1930 in Kerens, West Virginia to Boyd Mensch and Ella Eisner Mensch. He left West Virginia when he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 16 and faithfully served his country in Korea during the Korean War and in Germany during the 1950s. While Sergeant Mensch was stationed in Germany, he met a young German woman, Ottilie (Tillie) Stark. They were married on January 18, 1955 in Erlangen, Germany. Walter and Tillie returned to the United States where she became a U.S. citizen in 1956. Following Walter’s honorable discharge from the Army, Walter and Tillie Mensch settled in mid-Missouri, where they lived and raised their only child, Adelheid (Heidi). For many years, Walter worked as a foreman at Epple Construction. During his later career, he worked at Boone County Hospital (now Boone Hospital Center) until his retirement in 1995. Walter was a farmer at heart, and he was happiest when he was outdoors, working on his land near Huntsdale. He was generous in sharing with his friends the fruits and vegetables he raised in his garden and orchard. Walter was adept at taking care of machines, and he loved tinkering and working with the farm equipment. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends, Randy, Hugh, and Earl up until his final year. Walter was a loyal friend and loving husband and father.

His wife Tillie died on November 30, 2023. Walter is survived by his daughter, Heidi Mensch Tumbleson, his half-brother, Larry Arman, and two nieces, Katharina Ann Franzen and Lisa Heflin.

A chapel service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Friends and family may pay their respects between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. before the service. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Nebo Cemetery near Huntsdale.