John Walters
John C. “Buzz” Walters, 88, of Rogersville, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022, at Waynesburg Health and Rehabilitation.
Born November 14, 1934, in Rices Landing, a son to the late Thomas and Lotus Callahan Walters.
Buzz was married to Doris Kay Patterson, daughter of Crawford and Laurene Patterson, until her passing from Ovarian Cancer in 1982, 39 years ago.
Buzz was a resident of the area almost all his life. He graduated from Mapletown High School in 1952. Buzz attended Waynesburg College, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 1961 he was employed in the West Greene School District as a social studies teacher and home school visitor.
Buzz was a wrestling coach for West Greene, Clay-Battelle High School and Beth-Center. He had a passion for sports, dedicating much of his life to coaching wrestling.
He was an active member of the community, participating in many programs throughout the area: Commandant Tri-County Leathernecks 26 years for Toys for Tots, Graysville Legion Service Officer, Commander of Mt. Morris Legion for 16 years, Life Guard at Monview Park for 14 years, Greene County Veterans Chaplain, 40-8 Chaplain, Waynesburg Masonic 153 Chaplain, United Way Board member, Genealogical (Cornerstone) V.P., USMC League (Washington) member, Kinkora Home Board (Knights of Pythias Lodge) Past State Grand Chancellor, Retired Coaches Association member, Project Manager for Crouse School House, a member of the Rogersville United Methodist Church, and Hall of Fame: State, Washington/Greene, and West Greene School District.
Buzz served in the USMC and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, retiring after 22 years. He was quite the character and liked having fun with people. When he was younger, Buzz liked to square dance. Buzz enjoyed “a good, hot woman, a cold beer and a trip to the bathroom.”
Buzz is survived by his children, John “Buzzy” Walters, of Rogersville, Rikk Walters, of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Jodi Reggetz, of Waynesburg; grandchildren, Zebalia, Jole, Mace and Brennen; sisters, Cindy (Bob) Tisza and Bonnie Peterson; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Buzz is preceded in death by grandparents, Rubert and Nancy Walters; Charles and Mary Callahan; infant brother, William “Bill” Walters; brothers, Bud, Bob, Jim and Tom “Caboose” Walters; and sister, Edna Helmick.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC., 3275 W. Roy Furman Hwy., Rogersville, PA 15359; Telephone 724-499-5181, and are incomplete at this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Rogersville United Methodist Church at 3260 W. Roy Furman Hwy Rogersville PA 15359; Rogersville Fire Department at RR 21, Box 397, Rogersville, PA 15359; or Tri-County Leathernecks Toys for Tots at PO Box 376, Rogersville, PA 15359.
A short message from Buzz to those who knew him: “I am ready. I don’t want any crying. Remember our journey. I want you to go out and have a good time, on me. I want those to remember me as they always did. The bible says ‘There is a time to be born and a time to die’ and I’ve lived a long time.”
Please view and sign the online Tribute Wall at www.kestersonfh.com.