Richard Daniel Walters – North Charleroi, formerly of Monongahela
Richard Daniel Walters, 74, of North Charleroi, formerly of Monongahela, died Monday, April 15, 2019, in the Premier Washington Health Center, Washington. He was born March 9, 1945, in Charleroi, a son of the late Richard “Dick” and Gertrude Endreszl Walters. Richard graduated in 1963 from Mon Valley Catholic High School and later from Penn State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. He was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronic technician. After being discharged, he stayed active in the Navy Seabees Reserves. Employed at RDWS Enterprise for over 25 years as a contractor and home remodeler, Richard also taught building trades at both the Mon Valley and Steel Center McKeesport Vo-Tech schools. He was a Pennsylvania building inspector for several boroughs and towns in the area and worked for the DEP until his health declined. In the 1970s and ’80s, he was a Cub Scout den leader. His memberships include St. Damien of Molokai Parish in Monongahela; Black Diamond VFW Sutman-Yohe Post 1409, where he was the former chaplain; Carroll American Legion James C. Ford Post 949, where he was the former sergeant at arms; the Knights of Columbus Council No. 8336 in Finleyville, where he was a fourth-degree knight; the Hoot Owls Athletic Association in New Eagle; the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates; and he was a former member of the Valley Inn Sportsmen’s Association. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle. On July 24, 1967, he eloped in Maryland and on Aug. 5, 1967, was formally married in St. Anthony’s Church to the love of his life, Carol Sue Dragone Walters, with whom he celebrated 51 years of marriage. He is also survived by a daughter, Danna M. Walters-Miller and her husband Daryl A. of Monongahela; son, Daniel R. Walters Sr. and his wife Deborah L. of New Eagle; three grandchildren, Courtney Pierce and her husband Chad, Breanna Lee Rollins and Daniel R. Walters Jr.; four step-grandchildren, Christopher, Joshua and Brian Bartolotta and Tina Madden; great-granddaughter, Sophia Pierce; four step-great-grandchildren, Angel and Cheyanne Madden, David Henning and Andrew Bartolotta; a brother, Larry Walters and his wife Deb of Cleveland, Ohio; and a sister, Gina Walters-Podroskey of Bethel Park. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bud Walters, who died June 23, 1976. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2019, at FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., 427 W. Main St., Monongahela. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in St. Damien of Molokai Church with the Rev. Patrick Barkey as celebrant. The Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad will have military honors following the funeral Mass. Inurnment will be private in Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date. The Mid Mon Valley Shipmates will perform a two-bell ceremony at 3 p.m., and the Knights of Columbus will recite the Rosaries at 6:30 p.m., both in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.
