Walter Franz Wilhelm Heerwig, 84, passed away peacefully at Carolina East Medical Center on Friday, December 14, 2018. He was born in Willimantic, CT, on January 14, 1934. Walter lived in various parts of the country before settling to New Bern in 1997, after retiring from a lifetime of master carpenter work between the East and West Coast of the USA. Retirement did not hold him back from keeping busy however, so he continued working part time for a custom sign business as well as creating wood handcrafts for family and friends.
Upon graduating from Windham Technical High School in Willimantic, CT, Walter enlisted in the US Army determined to serve his country in the Korean Conflict. However, the Army had other plans for him and he was assigned to duty in West Germany. It was there that he met and fell in love with his life long sweetheart of 62 years, Irmgard. He married her in Germany and brought his bride back to North Windham, CT, where they raised their three children.
Walter was a hardworking carpenter and dedicated family man. His big heart and big smile will be missed by everyone. We are forever grateful and blessed to have had him in our lives.
Besides his wife, Irmgard, he is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Martorelli and her husband, Gennaro; Marlene Lynch and her husband, Sean; their son, Klaus; seven grandchildren, Steven, Jaclyn, April, Breanna, Erica, Kris, Lexi, and Ryan; and five great-grandchildren, Kali, Kinley, Kaisley, Levi and Mason.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 17, 2018 at Cotton Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Walter's name may be made to the CarolinaEast Health Foundation as a "thank you" for all of the care they gave him.
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