Walter Carl "Wally" Kolls

Walter (Wally) Kolls, 91, passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side on Christmas morning, 2017. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 31, 1926, and was the only child of Carl and Julia (Jurgenson) Kolls. He is survived by the love of his life, Sharon (Richardson) Kolls, who he married on May 12, 1951 in Shelbyville at First United Methodist Church (66 years). Also surviving are Wally and Sharon’s four children, Mike Kolls (Kathy), Jeff Kolls (Karen), Julie Hirschauer (Dennis), and Molly Finger (Mark); 15 grandchildren, Jamie Kolls (wife Jamie Lee deceased), Kristie Fritz (Joe), Angie Wells (Tony), Susan Lockeridge (Luke), Brian Kolls (Abby), Kate Olds (Rex), Sam Hirschauer (Lonna), Seth Hirschauer (Elizabeth), Ben Hirschauer, Brandon Hirschauer, Morgan Denton, Megan Denton (Tyler), McKenzie Denton, Jared Finger (Emily), and Danielle Klose (Shawn); 17 great grandchildren, Jenna & Jett Kolls, Emma & Payten Smith, Austin & Alex Wells, Alexis Fitz, Max and Hank Lockeridge, Olivia Kolls, Mason and baby Olds, Reagan and Owen Hirschauer, Wade Barrett, Miles and Cora Finger and 5 great great grandchildren. At 17, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps to join in the WWII conflict. His military career began in San Diego where he completed his basic training. In 1944 he went overseas and served in Hawaii, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He was there when the flag was raised atop Mount Suribachi. From there, he went to China to help with the return of the POW’s and in May 1947 he was discharged. After his discharge, he obtained his GED diploma and went on to graduate from the Pennsylvania Institute of Criminology. He began working for the Indiana State Police in 1949 at Stout Field, first as a Fingerprint Classifier, then as a trooper for Shelby County. From 1960 to 1976 he sold insurance for the Hoosier Motor Club as well as built and ran a successful Putt-Putt golf course in Evansville, Indiana. From1976-1990, he worked for the Indiana Department of Revenue and in 1990, he finished his successful working life with one more business venture-a laundromat in Indianapolis. Wally spent the last few weeks of his life as he did all the days before-being kind, generous, and selfless. He would re-assure others by saying, “I’m ok – you ok?” Every child and grandchild in the area had the opportunity to lay in bed with him as he gave words of instruction and loving praise: “Be true to yourself, be a gentleman, respect the flag, don’t lie, love not if - but even though, do your best today, be your best today.” Wally was a hardworking man who had an unprecedented commitment to his country and family. He served God in this way. He was “one of a kind” who is greatly missed already. Visitation will be from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday, December 30, 2017 and funeral service on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 2:30pm at Freeman Family Funeral Homes. The reverends Dennis Hirschauer and Bob Campbell will be officiating. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Boys Club, in care of Blue River Community Foundation, 54 W. Broadway St., Suite 1, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Wally’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.