Obituary of Kathleen Davis

Kathleen (Katie) Davis Walton, of Zion, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 66, on May 22, 2023, with her husband by her side. She is now at home with Jesus, in whom she had a simple, childlike faith. She was born in Boone, Iowa, on October 13, 1956, where she attended school and graduated from Boone High School in 1974.

Katie lived in several interesting places, including California, Texas, and Hawaii, but lived most of her recent years in the Zion area. She cared deeply about her family, and she had one son, Keith, who was very precious to her. She loved visiting her niece Carrie and her family in Iowa and always talked about her great nieces and nephews. She had numerous jobs, but worked many years at American Air Filter in Zion, Illinois, Armed Forces Bank at Great Lakes Navy Base, and Great Lakes Credit Union in Waukegan, Illinois.

She attended New Song Ministries and loved everyone there, but especially adored all the little people. She volunteered in the nursery and frequently brought them little presents ‘just so they’d know she was thinking about them’. Listening to people, asking them questions about their life, and then remembering what they shared, was Katie’s passion and gift. She shared her life with a large network of longtime friends, but also opened her heart to an ever-increasing, multi-generational circle of friends.

Katie loved finding a good deal and treasure hunting at garage and estate sales, always thinking of others and ‘finding something someone could use’. She also volunteered many years and made many friendships while serving at the Abiding Love Food Pantry at Christian Assembly of God in Zion, Illinois, including her future husband, Rich, whose attention she had caught with her dyed pink hair (supporting cancer awareness).

In late June of 2022, Katie found she had terminal brain cancer. She underwent treatment, but continued to always think of others. When asked how she was doing, she’d respond, “I’m great! How are you?” She never wanted the cancer to affect how she lived her life. She had met and become good friends with Rich at the food pantry and their friendship bloomed into love over coffee and Diet Pepsi dates and cancer treatment trips. They were married on October 22, 2022 on a beautiful Saturday afternoon surrounded by family and friends. They had seven lovely months together, with Katie determined to just live her life and be ‘Katie’ as long as she could. On Monday, May 22, 2023, she got too tired and peacefully gave up the fight.

Preceding her in death was her father Veryl Jennings, and her sister Cheryl Cupp.

Survivors include her husband Richard Walton of Beach Park, Illinois, her son Keith Forster of Zion, Illinois, her mother Maxine Jennings of Missouri City, Texas, Tom (Cristy) Jennings of Missouri City, Texas, Carrie (Scott) Shamblen of Des Moines, Iowa, Chad (Cindy) Dixson of Pella, Iowa, Dustin Jennings of Houston, Texas, and many more great and great great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Celebration for Katie will be held at New Song Ministries, 3010 31st Street, Zion, Illinois, on Saturday, June 3rd. Friends are welcome to greet the family starting at 10:00am and the service will begin at 11:00am.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Abiding Love Food Pantry.