Services for John Abraham Walker, Gravois Mills, Mo. were held Thursday in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.

Mr. Walker, a native of Osawatomie, died Sunday, Nov. 16, 1997 in his home. He was 57.

Born July 19, 1940, in Osawatomie he was the son of Charles Henry and Eleanor Schoenfeldt Walker.

He grew up in Osawatomie and received his education in Osawatomie schools, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1958. He completed his education at the University of Kansas and Pittsburg State University, earning both his bachelor's degree and master's degree in teaching.

He moved to Independence, Mo. and taught 30 years before retiring in 1992. He taught at Bridger Junior High for many years. While living in the Independence area, he was active in the community and had served as president of the Independence Jaycees.

Mr. Walker then moved back to Osawatomie and taught at Osawatomie Middle School for five years.

He married Roberta Hoppe June 16, 1962 in Osawatomie. They became the parents of one daughter. Mrs. Walker died Feb. 8, 1987.

On Feb. 14, 1992, he and Joe Ann Dial Cochrane were married in Osawatomie where they made their home. They moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in May of this year.

Mr. Walker was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 921, both of Osawatomie. He was also a member of the National Education Association.

Survivors include his wife, Joe Ann, of the home; his daughter, Sherri Prichard, Independence, Mo.; his mother of Olathe; two stepsons, Marc Cochrane, Paola, and Robert Cochrane, San Francisco; a brother, Thomas Walker, Stover, Mo.; and five grandchildren.

The Rev. Lee Wiersma officiated. Pallbearers were Bob Talley, Jerry Kacheroski, Don Russell, Paul Foster, Chuck Foudree, Bill Norton, Robbie Cochrane and Marc Cochrane. Burial was in Osawatomie Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his name to the American Diabetes Association.