Published on December 4, 2025 11:47 am
Last Updated on December 4, 2025 11:47 am
Walter Eugene Percival, 91, of Pharr, TX, formerly of Charleston and Effingham, IL, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at South Texas Health System in Edinburg, TX.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park in Effingham, IL with military rites. Friends and community may visit the family from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and gifts, Memorials may be made to Palm Valley Christian Church in Edinburg, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Walter was born on October 5, 1934 in Watson, IL, son of Walter and Irene (Poe) Percival. He married Janice Bayer on November 18, 1956 in Altamont, IL, and she preceded him in death on February 3, 2013. Walter graduated from Effingham High School and served the United States Army as a Master Sergeant in telecommunications during the Korean War. He worked as a general manager, sales manager, and purchasing agent for Agri Distributing/Bonanza Building and Moore Farm Building. Walter loved the Lord, serving his church and others. He was a donating member of several charities and was a long-time member of the Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, and card games.
Walter is survived by two of his three daughters, Susan Henderson (husband, Gary) and Lori Cooper (husband, Mark); eight grandchildren, Stephanie Greene (Charlie), Greg Henderson (Amy), Pam Coleman (Tony), Jeremy Tarter (Shelbie), Justin Tarter (Kayla), Jordan Tarter (Dayana), Danielle Cooper, and Rachelle Joyce (Cody); 17 grandchildren, Annaleise, Jacob, Arabella, and Athea Greene, Caleb, Jaelyn, and Harper Henderson, Clara and Christian Coleman, Tyler Taylor and Tinley Tarter, Jayden and Jaxson Tarter, Riley and Liam Tarter, and Remi Joyce.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; daughter, Kathleen Tarter; sister, Isabelle Percival Bloemker; brother-in-law, Hank Bloemker; brother, Vernon Percival; and sister-in-law, Leota Percival; and other nieces, in-laws, and cousins.