Jack E. Walker

Jack E. Walker, 99, of Canton, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He was born to Earl W. and Mildred (Miller) Walker on November 24, 1926 in Canton, IL. He was two years old when his mother passed in 1928, and his grandparents Charles and Anna Miller helped raise him.

Jack had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age and started working at the neighborhood meat market in 8th grade. His first business, the Tasty Chip Company, in which he produced and delivered chips to 33 neighborhood stores in Canton and numerous stores in Fulton County.

While delivering his potato chips to a store in Lewistown, IL, in 1952, Jack spotted his future wife Ruth through the window and knew he had to meet her. Jack and Ruth were married January 31, 1954 and remained so until Ruth passed December 19th, 2022. In 1959, Jack bought Ruth the house of her dreams, and they spent their lives turning it into a showcase. Jack co-owned Jack & Bill's Apparel Inc with his best friend and business partner Bill Ritchey from 1954 until 1986, and they remained best friends until Bill's passing in 2013.

Jack was a WWII Navy Veteran and was on the Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2005. He was a member of the Shriners, Masons, and Elks. He was also a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Wesley United Methodist Church, and Canton and Wee-Ma-Tuk Country Clubs. Jack earned his pilot license in 1959 and enjoyed many years of exciting flights in the 60's and 70's. He was honored to be the Friendship Festival Parade Marshall in 2025. He was one of the many who got the IH whistle to blow again.

Jack had numerous hobbies including tennis, golf, yard work, playing pitch, snowmobiling, listening to live music, telling stories and hanging out with his grandkids. He spent many hours on the golf course with his grandchildren David and Ashley. Jack loved to seek knowledge and share it with others. He enjoyed being entertained by the neighbor boys Walker and Ford Brown.

Jack is survived by his two children, Mitchell (Samantha) Walker of Geneva, la, and Shelley (Dave) Henderson of Lenexa, Ks, six grandchildren, Robert, Liam, Krisstofer and Margaret Walker, Ashley (Aaron) Berkley, David Henderson, and one great grandchild, Lennon Grace Berkley.

A visitation will be held at 10 am on Friday July 3, 2026 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Canton, IL. Masonic services will be held at 11 AM followed by the Memorial Service. Military rites will be accorded at the church. Reverend Dr Shalom Renner will officiate. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude Children's Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Online condolences may be made at www. sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.