Roy Atherton

WALNUT — Roy A. Atherton, 93, of Walnut died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, at Heritage Manor in Walnut.

Roy was born Nov. 3, 1921 in Walnut, the son of Roy and Iva (Whitver) Atherton. He served in the Army Air Corps as a first lieutenant during World War II. He served as a navigator in a B17 of the 8th Air Force and flew out of England. Roy returned home and graduated from Monmouth College. He was united in marriage to Jeanne Andersen on Feb. 6, 1949, in Walnut.

He owned and operated Atherton Grain Company in Walnut during his lifetime. Roy was past Walnut Rotary president and past board member of the Illinois Grain and Feed Association. He served on the Walnut Grade School Board, Citizens Bank Board, Walnut Development and Walnut Manor Board during his lifetime. Roy was very involved in the Walnut Veterans Memorial and was a 70-year member of Walnut American Legion Post 179.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Atherton of Walnut; one son, Bruce (Patti) Atherton of Walnut; one daughter, Shari (Joe) Sterrenberg of Chatsworth; four grandchildren, Ryan Atherton, Jaime (Jerry) Swift, Lucus (Amanda) Atherton and Casey Sterrenberg; seven great-grandchildren, Andrew Atherton, Harrison Hitzler, Landry Hitzler, Karlee Atherton, Hailey Atherton, Hannah Atherton and Madison Atherton; one sister, Anita (Tom) Godwin of Exira, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter-in-law, Margaret Atherton.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut with the Rev. Mark Harkness, pastor of Walnut United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established to Heritage Manor in Walnut and Walnut United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.garlandfuneralhome.com.