Walter Emil Splittstoesser passed away at 2:30 AM August 4, 2017 at Presence Hospital. He was 79. He was born August 27, 1937 in Claremont, MN to Waldemar and Opal Mae (Young) Splittstoesser. He married Shirley O'Connor July 2, 1960.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley retired elementary teacher, daughter Pam Splittstoesser of Champaign and Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois; daughter Sheryl Barringer (Dan) of Columbus, OH and Department Head of Food Science at The Ohio State University; son Riley Splittstoesser (Yvette) of Santa Fe, NM and Ergonomics Program Lead for Los Alamos National Laboratory; granddaughter Sarah Barringer of New York; sister Velma Wardal of Port Isabel, TX, and brother David Splittstoesser of Kasson, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Irene and Ruth.

He retired after 35 years from the University of Illinois as a Professor of Plant Physiology. The squirrels loved the abundant produce from his home garden.

An aficionado of cars, starting in his youth he ran a service station with his dad in the small town of Claremont, MN. His first car was a 1925 Model T Ford purchased second hand for $50. He was careful to have his cars in tip-top condition. A fender bender as a teenager was the only accident that he's had in his 63 years of driving cars.

Walter was a 40-year member of Champaign-Urbana Optimist Club whose motto is "Friend of Youth". He served as Secretary-Treasurer for nearly three decades and as President. He was involved with their fund raisers, Christmas Tree Sales and taking tickets at the annual Champaign County Fair.

Walter was an avid traveler having visited all seven continents, all 50 states and over 100 countries.

He was a long time member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Donations may be made to St. Patrick Education Fund, St. Patrick Church, 708 W. Main St., Urbana, IL.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM on Thursday, August 11 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd, Urbana. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com

Funeral Mass will be at 10 AM at St. Patrick Church, 708 West Main St., Urbana. Burial will follow at St. Mary's cemetery. Luncheon will be served for family and friends at St. Patrick Trinity Hall immediately after burial.