John Eugene Walker,87, of Cahokia, Illinois, born February 25, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri, died Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Belleville Memorial Hospital.

John was formerly employed by City Lighting Products in St. Louis, MO and later retired from the Cahokia School District 187. He was a very devout member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Cahokia, IL; a 4th Degree Member of Knights of Columbus Leo Jerome Assembly 1666 of Cahokia, IL. He was an avid Cardinals and Blues fan.

John was very well known for his generosity to everyone he met. This would include cookies for his car dealer, food to his mechanics, water for his Schwan's delivery guy and orange slices for friends and the bartender whenever he attended Taco Tuesdays. Visitors to his home could not leave without being offered a drink, snack or candy. If he came to a holiday or event, he would bring several dishes and coolers of soda. Taking him out to lunch always meant that he would try to pick up the check and it became a contest to grab it before he did. He also volunteered at local nursing homes by giving them communion and readings to those who could no longer attend mass. The residents always looked forward to his smiling face - and free soda! John loved his family fiercely and commented frequently about how lucky he and Barb were to have such a wonderful, loving family. He would brag to everyone about how many grandkids and great-grandkids he had, although we had to remind him because it was always growing. Even though it was a crazy, loud event whenever the family got together - he wouldn't have changed it for the world.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Walker, nee Ossig; a son, David Walker; a son-in-law, Allen Raines; a grandson, Eric Joniak; his parents, John Edward and Alma Lucille, nee Conley, Walker; two brothers, Francis and Robert Walker; and a sister, Anita Wobbe.

Surviving are his children, Stephen (Carole) Walker of O'Fallon, MO, Teresa Raines, Thomas Walker, Joan Hamilton, all of Cahokia, IL, Carol (Mark Sanchez) Walker of New Douglas, IL and Diane (Tim) Strawn of Cahokia, IL; a sister, Mary Lou (Perry) Clubb; 13 grandchildren, Brian (Jane), Brad (Leah), Carla (Bennie), Vicki (Steve), Angie (Brahn), Lauren (Tony), Mark (Brandy), Jennifer (Johnny), Kevin, Chrissy (Craig), Alex (Larra), Janna, and Matthew; and 18 great grandchildren. He was also a dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com

Memorial donations may be made in the form of masses or direct donations to the church.

Friends may visit from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia Illinois. A Knights of Columbus Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral procession to leave at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2023, to Holy Family Catholic Church, Cahokia, Illinois for a 10:00 a.m. Mass of the Christian Burial, with Father Osang Idagbo, CM officiating. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.