Rick was a graduate of Belleville East High School and Southwestern Illinois College. He was a sales manager at Belleville Honda for over 20 years and was currently employed at Westhaven School District 118. Rick loved floating in his pool, watching The Three Stooges, and fishing. The kid in him was always revealed on family trips, when posing with characters, and never being able to follow a mapped-out route. He was a very proud father and grandfather.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Audrey, nee Wiemer, Walta; and a sister-in-law, Karen Walta.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Elaine, nee Lodes, Walta;
a son, Eric (Karen) Walta;
a daughter, Jennifer (Zach) VanBibber;
two brothers, Robert C. Walta and Ronald (Dana) Walta;
a sister, Ann (Nick) Thomas;
a nephew, Daniel Thomas;
three grandchildren, Brayden Walta, Brody Walta, and Ava VanBibber;
three brothers-in-law, Thomas (Robin) Lodes, Dennis (Barb) Lodes and Gary (Margo) Lodes;
two sisters-in-law, Kathy Kolezar and Lisa Robateau;
and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Rick’s life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2018, at Cutter’s Restaurant, 239 Carlyle Avenue, Belleville, IL.