Walter E. Farrell, 87, of Washington and Mesa, Arizona, died Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Washington County Hospital following a brief illness.

A family memorial service is pending as the family awaits the arrival of a missionary grandson from New Zealand. The body has been donated to the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa for medical research. The family requests that memorials be designated to Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Walt's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Walter was born July 23, 1923, in Oklahoma City, the son of Walter E. and Eva Hines Farrell. He graduated from Bastrop High School in Bastrop, Louisiana, in 1941, and was later married to Lalia Zane Parks of Bastrop. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was in pilot training when discharged from the service for medical reasons.

The Farrells owned and edited several newspapers in California and Iowa in the 1940s and 50s, including the Sioux Rapids Bee, West Branch Times, and Eldon Forum. In 1955, the family moved to Washington to enter the printing business with Walter Farrell, Sr. Walter, Jr., was the owner and CEO of Farrell's, Inc., which included a printing business and Farrell's Hallmark on the square in Washington. In 1977, he retired from full time work to Mesa, Arizona, where he and his wife enjoyed traveling with and holding office in the Royal Rovers R.V. Club.

Walter was a member and deacon at First Baptist and Faith Baptist Churches in Washington and a member of Brown Road Baptist Church in Mesa. He was President of the Washington Chamber of Commerce and member of the Kiwanis Club and served as lieutenant governor of Kiwanis.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Pam Shelman and husband Bob of Washington; daughter, Deborah Menning and husband John of Orange City; son, Wally and wife Dawn (Stultz) Farrell; grandchildren, John Shelman, Yuma, Az.; Jean Shelman Smith, New Providence; Adrian Woods, Seattle; Jason and Julie Farrell, North Liberty; Amanda Farrell, Madison, WI.; Joshua Menning, Matamata, New Zealand; Alex Zane Menning, Orange City; and four great-grandchildren, Shelby, Tyson, and Clayton Smith and Emerson Woods.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Billy Lee; and his daughter, Patricia Farrell.

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