Walter Lewis Eldred of Burleigh Township passed away on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at his home at the age of 87. Walter was born on Sept. 17, 1923, in Detroit to Walter and Lelia (nee Brushart). He graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit, Class of 1942, and then enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served our country during World War II. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Colorado during most of his service. After his service in the Navy, Walter attended the Detroit Business Institute and graduated with his business degree on Sept. 22, 1947. He went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad Corporation in Detroit, where he began as a city ticket agent. After about 10 years, he was promoted to the position of office manager for non-perishable produce. Walter retired from the Santa Fe Railroad Corporation in 1983 after many years of faithful service. He will be always remembered for his love and passion for all animals and how much he truly enjoyed working with and riding his horses. Walter was also a strategist and became very good at the game of chess. He married the love of his life, Frances Jean (nee Clancy), on June 28, 1947, at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Detroit and together they celebrated 63 beautiful years of marriage. Walter was a very active parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in East Tawas, participating in many church functions and liturgical duties. He gave 23 years of volunteer service to Tawas St. Joseph Hospital, where he worked primarily at the lobby desk. Walter was also a lifetime member of the D.A.V. He is survived by his loving wife, Frances Jean Eldred; four nephews and their spouses, Robert (Sandra) Rowe of Whittemore, Douglas (Karen) Mold of Swanton, Ohio, Donald (Jean) Mold of Cleveland, Ohio, and Thomas (Theresa) Mold of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and several great-nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Walter was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother, Richard Eldred. Visitation for Walter was held on Thursday at Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City, with the rosary prayed that evening. A funeral Mass was held on Friday, Jan. 14, at Holy Family Catholic Church in East Tawas with the Rev. Fr. Charlie Donajkowski officiating. His family received friends at the church on Friday prior to the funeral Mass. Interment followed the Mass in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery in Tawas City with military Naval honors. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church. An on-line guest registry is available at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements were by Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City.