Clifford N. Walter, 84, of Eagle Lake, Edwardsburg, passed away on Nov. 13, 2010 at his home after an illness, with his family at his side.

He was born June 26, 1926 in Cook County, Ill. to the late John and Helen (Northam) Walter. He came to Elkhart in 1964 and then to Edwardsburg a year later.

Mr. Walter was a flight instructor and pilot, both private and commercial. His career included Harley Airport as vice president of flight instruction and charter service; Three Rivers Airport for charter flights and instruction; National Flight Service of Elkhart, instructor and charter service president; and lastly, he flew corporate jets for Dock Foundry of Three Rivers.

Mr. Walter was a member of the Oak Lawn Masonic Lodge 815, Oak Lawn, Ill. He served in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his five children, Laura Walter of Ventura. Calif., Patricia (Gerald) Zimmerman of Garrett, Ind., Margaret (Dan) Seligson of Palo Alto, Calif., Martha Walter of Palo Alto and Peter John Walter of South Bend; the children’s mother, Bernadene Adams of South Bend; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, June Bosworth of Omaha, Neb.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Matthew Charles Walter, on July 6, 1977; and a sister, Lois Schwartz.

Friends and family gathered Monday, Nov. 15, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 West Main St., Edwardsburg. There was a candlelight service at 7:30 p.m. Monday by St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge 476 of Edwardsburg.

The service was conducted Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, where friends gathered two hours before the service.

Burial followed in Adamsville Cemetery with the U.S. Army Honor Guard doing graveside military rites.

There was a luncheon at the Edwardsburg American Legion, 25751 U.S. Highway 12 East, after the graveside service.