Mildred Joann Walcher, age 73, of South Haven, KS, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Wellington, KS. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a retired Licensed Practical Nurse.

Mildred Joann (Spencer) Walcher was born on October 28, 1934 in Halstead, KS to Elmer Spencer and Ethel Belle (Arthurs) Spencer.

Mildred Joann Spencer married Merle Walcher on August 16, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Hunnewell, KS. The Rev. James L. Christianson officiated at the wedding ceremony.

Joann was a person of many talents and skills. She excelled at writing poetry, making ceramic figures and porcelain dolls, making beautiful quilts, and was an excellent photographer. She was a dedicated Christian and lived her faith in every way.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Delores Adams; brother, Burdiss Spencer; and son-in-law Anthony "Tuffy" Cornejo.

She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Merle Walcher of South Haven, KS. She was a proud and loving mother to Betty Colleen Meeker and her husband Morris, Roberta Jo Hiltzman, Charlotte Lorraine Smith and her husband Keith, Karen Louise Cornejo-White and her husband Byron, Allen Robert Walcher and his wife Donna, and Maria Joann Campbell and her husband Robert; sisters, Maxine Hoover, Carol Brown, DeLaine Rupe and her husband Darrel; sister-in-law Dell Spencer; and one brother, Delmer Spencer, Sr. and his wife Gladys. Her whole life has been wrapped around her awesome grandchildren which include Curtis Meeker and his wife Kathy, Marcus Meeker and his wife Marye, Angela Kelly and her husband Tyson, Katie Meeker, Crystal Moore and her husband Philip, Justin Hiltzman, twins Ryan Smith and Bryan Smith and his wife Crystal, Diana Locke and her husband Garratt, Adam Cornejo, Mark Cornejo, Adrienne Cornejo, Audrey Walcher, Victoria Walcher, Stephanie Walcher, Chad Smith and his wife Melanie, Corey Smith, Ethan Campbell, Daniel Campbell, Benjamin Campbell, Triplets Molly Campbell, Sarah Campbell, and Morgan Campbell. She also found love in her heart for her great grandchildren, Tucker Locke who called her Gamma Watcher and Callie Locke, Faith Moore, Langdon Moore, Madison Smith, Alex Smith, Tanner Kelly, Brooke Smith, and Aaron Martinez.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the South Haven Baptist Church. Pastor Kerry Hervey will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Rome, KS.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon, January 6, 2008 from 2:00 – 9:00 P.M.

A memorial has been established with the Walcher Scholarship Fund at the South Haven High School in care of Colleen Meeker. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.