Howard J. Walsman's Obituary
Howard J. Walsman, age 95 of Fishers, Indiana and a former resident of Batesville for 88 years, died Saturday, January 5, 2013. Born September 16, 1917 in Sunman, Indiana, he is the son of Lydia (Nee: Meyer) and Quirin Walsman. He married Gertrude Buck June 25, 1941 at St. Louis Church in Batesville and she preceded him in death October 22, 1994. Howard served in the army during World War II and was a member of St. Louis Church, a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Council #1461, a former member of the board of directors for the Indiana Home Furnishings Association, a founding member of the Batesville Jaycees and a charter member of the Hillcrest Country Club. Howard, along with his brother Robert, owned and operated The Walsman Company, a furniture store, for over 50 years before retiring in 1995. According to his family he loved to make people laugh and had thousands of stories for any occasion which served him well dealing with the public. His family said the bigger his audience, the more he liked it. Howard enjoyed several interests which included being an avid golfer, playing bridge, ballroom dancing and watching Wheel of Fortune. He also watched sports and was a Colts and IU basketball fan. Something you might not know about Howard was that in his younger days he had a dance band called the Continentals in which he played the saxophone. He is survived by his daughters and son-in-laws Beverly and Dan Poske of Indianapolis, Dianne and Dave Jessup of Fishers, Indiana; son and daughter-in-law David and Betty Lou Walsman of Indianapolis; sister Barbara Ernstes of Greensburg, Indiana; brothers Rev. Paul Walsman O.F.M. of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Robert Walsman of Batesville; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. In addition to his wife Gertrude and his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister Mary Helen Picker.Visitation is Wednesday, January 9th, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Church with his brother, Fr. Paul, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Batesville V.F.W Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to the Batesville Food Pantry.
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