James W. Walker

James Founded Walker Funeral Homes P.C., in 1950 after graduating from St. Louis University, with his degree in Mortuary Science. He was licensed and ran the business for forty-six years until the time of his death in 1996.

In 1962, he married Mary L. (Shafer) Walker and she continues to run the business.

James is father of three children: James Tracy Walker, Jill Walker-Tracy and Regge Walker. He and Mary have five grandchildren: Rob, Ben, Mark, Kelsey and Kailey.

Mary Walker

Mary was the first woman to graduate from Southern Illinois University in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.

She was born and raised in Hurst, Illinois, the daughter of Eugene "SHINE" Shafer and Erma (Keyes) Shafer.

Worked and owned the family business with her husband, James since 1962.

Established the first licensed crematory and licensed cremator operators in the Southern Illinois Region by a family owned funeral home.

Member of the following organizations:
I.F.D.A.
N.F.D.A
C.A.N.A.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Elks of Carbondale
Ladies Auxiliary of Eagles of Carbondale

Regge Walker

Born and raised at Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale, the son of James W. and Mary (Shafer) Walker. He has worked in the family business all of his life.

Graduated 1991 from Carbondale Community High School.

Attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and Pierce Mortuary School in Jeffersonville, IN, studying Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.

Certified by C.A.N.A. to operate Walker Cremation Services, Inc.

Licensed by the State of Illinois as a cremator operator.

Member of:

I.F.D.A.
N.F.D.A
C.A.N.A.
Leading Knight at the Elks Lodge #1243
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Carbondale
Ducks Unlimited

Michael Cooper

A smiling familiar face seen at Walker Funeral Home since 1980.

Mike manages maintenance work and over-sees the funeral home grounds.

Mike has lived in Southern Illinois for thirty-five years.

Member of:
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Carbondale

Jim Cuff

Jim is originally from Collinsville, Illinois. He relocated to the Carbondale area in 1999. Jim is a recent retiree from the State of Illinois where he worked for 26 years. He served the people of Illinois in Public Safety Communications. Jim is licensed by the Ste of Illinois as a crematory operator, and has recently joined Walker Funeral Homes to assist in our crematory operation. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of the Retired State Police Association of Illinois.