Dean William Walker

Dean William Walker, 71, of Warsaw, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dean was born on August 13, 1953, in San Diego, California, the son of Charles and Marlyce (McClellan) Walker. He graduated from Nauvoo-Colusa High School in 1972, and went on to work several jobs throughout the years. He was employed at Haigh’s Fish market in Niota, cooked at the Riverview Supper Club in Dallas City, owned Dean Walker Trucking (where he had a milk route), and worked at Brinks Ready Mix and Conagra. As a side job, he owned and operated Walker Mowing. On August 12, 1995, he was united in marriage to Lorri (Byrn) Schulz in Hamilton, Illinois. She survives.

Dean was invested in his community, serving on the Nauvoo Volunteer Fire Department and Assisting the USW in creating their floats. He was a hard-working and driven individual, and earned his family title as the “Catfish King”, hosting memorable Memorial Day weekend fish fry’s for many years. Dean was also a dedicated Chicago Bears fan. Dean’s sidekick, his dog Melvin, went with him everywhere and was a fixture whenever he went out.

Dean is survived by his wife Lorri Walker of Warsaw, three children: Travis Walker of Alma, Wisconsin, Dawn (Charles) Lair of Coralville, Iowa, and Wyatt (Amber) Walker of Nauvoo, Illinois; two step-children: Chris (Deena) Schulz of Mendon, Illinois, and Nathan (Jason Kerr) Schulz of Oakville, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Tyler Walker, Nicolas Walker, Alanna Lair, Wesley Lair, Waylon Walker, Caleb Schulz and Leigha Schulz; three siblings: Karen (John) Trageser of Manteca, California, Dale (Doreen Anderson) Walker of Bessemer, Michigan and David Walker of Alexandria, Minnesota; his mother-in-law Helen Byrn of Warsaw; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Kathy Kelly.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw, with a luncheon to follow at the Keokuk Labor Temple. A funeral procession will leave the Keokuk Labor Hall at 2 pm for burial at Appanoose Cemetery in Niota, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 10, from 3 to 7 pm, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 pm at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw.

Memorials may be directed to the Warsaw Fire Department or Nauvoo Fire Department.