IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Mary Ann Walter

Mary Ann (Bevan) Walter, 88, passed peacefully June 30, 2026, at home in Hillsboro.

She was born Sept. 3, 1937, to Burl F. and Inez M. (McMillan) Bevan at the family’s farm in rural Lost Springs.

Mary Ann grew up attending Lost Springs public schools, where she developed a love for education.

She attended church and was baptized at age 12 at Lost Springs Evangelical United Brethren Church.

She graduated from Lost Springs High School in 1955, then from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1959.

Mary Ann married the Rev. Robert “Bob” Walter, a widower with two young girls (Elaine and Janet), on Dec. 24, 1961.

From this union they welcomed a son, Russell “Rusty,” and a daughter, Penni.

Over 38 years, Bob and Mary Ann served several Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist churches across Kansas, including the Thornburg, Womer, and Independence EUB charge; Alexander EUB; the Mispah and Industry EUB charge; Hillsboro EUB/UMC; the Albright and Wesley UMC charge in Lucas; the Cunningham, Cairo, and Preston UMC charge; and the Burrton and Pleasant Grove UMC charge.

Mary Ann was a dedicated Sunday School teacher, pianist, and organist.

She loved children and loved teaching. She taught 2nd grade at Jefferson County School in Arvada, Colorado; 1st grade at Grandview School in Hutchinson; 2nd grade at Smith Center Elementary; kindergarten at Wakefield Elementary; kindergarten at Durham Elementary; kindergarten at Cunningham Elementary; and preschool at Burrton InterChurch Preschool and as a paraprofessional at Hillsboro Elementary.

Upon Bob’s retirement, they moved back to Hillsboro, where she lived until she passed.

Mary Ann is survived by children Elaine Killion of Sedalia, Missouri; Janet (and husband Burt) Langworthy of McPherson; Russell “Rusty” Walter of Hillsboro; and Penni (and husband Merlin) Funk of Hillsboro.

Other survivors include grandchildren Mike (and wife Traci) Killion of Winchester, California; Chris (and wife Tamera) Killion of Sedalia, Missouri; Shawn Matteson (and Amy Busch) of Park City; Joel (and wife Savannah) Matteson of McPherson; Hannah (and husband Nicholas) Bradley of Hillsboro; and Jacob Funk of Tampa.

Also surviving are great-grandchildren Nicholas Killion, Brittany Killion, Haeley Killion, Chris “C.J.” Killion Jr., Jaycee Welch, Teighlor Welch, Kydon Matteson, Dylhan Matteson, and Zoey Alvarado.

Other survivors include sisters-in-law Betty Bevan of Lost Springs, Beth Elliott of Wichita, and Florence Marie Walter of Weeping Water, Nebraksa, along with countless cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, former students, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Robert “Bob” Walter; her parents, Burl and Inez Bevan; brothers Robert Bevan and Ray Bevan; sisters Ardis Sutton and Alma “Elaine” Wyatt; brothers-in-law Darrel Sutton, Jim Wyatt, Donald Walter, Willis Elliott; and Glenn Walter; sisters-in-law Roberta Walter, Helen Walter; and Florence Walter; and son-in-law Ronald Killion.

Memorial may be given in Mary Ann’s name to the television ministry of First United Methodist Church in Wichita.