Mr. James Walton, age 89, of Steam Mill Hollow Rd., Laceyville (Silvara), PA, passed away peacefully at his home in Silvara, surrounded by his family on Wednesday afternoon, June 28, 2017.

James was born in Philadelphia, PA on August 12, 1927, the son of the late Thomas Bell Moore Walton and Florence Hills Walton.

He served his country in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the "Fighting Seabees" and a Seaman. In the service he was trained as a surveyor and created his own surveying company Walton Surveying in Silvara, PA, which he owned and operated from 1967-2007.

He was a member of the Silvara United Methodist Church and was the Sunday school superintendent and teacher for many years. He was also a member of the Progressive Temperance Building and Reform Association of East Spring Hill. James was a leader of Cub Scouts. He was a wonderful artist, especially carving wood, molding clay, and could draw pictures from memory. He enjoyed playing the guitar, the keyboard, and hunting. He also was a beekeeper and a carpenter for many years.

James is survived by his wife Jane Elizabeth Woodward Walton, who he married on November 7, 1953; his children Doug Walter Walton and his wife Marilyn of Laceyville, PA, Daniel James Walton and finance Lori Hallick of Silvara, PA, and Susan Carol Coyle and her husband Bernard of Towanda, PA; his grandchildren Andrew Paul Walton and his fiancé Cheryl Hulsizer of Meshoppen, PA, Amanda May Embury of Catonsville, MD, Scott James Walton and his wife Rebecca of Sugar Notch, PA, and Christopher Walton and his wife Erica of Florida, Matthew Walton and his wife Ashley of Scranton, PA, Herbert Cornelius and his wife Kendra of Retta, PA and Jake Hallick of Jersey Shore, PA; his great-grandchildren Nicholas Embury, Taylor Embury, Azalea Walton, Lily Walton, Jet Walton, Ashleigh Bandish, Victor Bandish, David Cornelius, Emily Cornelius, Nathan Schrader and Alexis Schrader; and great-great grandson Brayden Sontag; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters Florence Kleese and Alice Galeone, brother Thomas Walton, and infant sister Ruth Walton.

A memorial service for James will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 12:00 noon from the Silvara United Methodist Church with Reverend Richard Card officiating. A Military Honors service will take place at the church and will be conducted by the members of the Rought Hall American Legion Post # 510, Dennis Strong American Legion Post #457, and the Endless Mountains VFW Post #3583, preceding the memorial service. Family and friends may call at the Church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

Arrangements were entrusted with Sheldon Funeral Homes, 459 Main St., Laceyville, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in James name to the Hunts for Healing, 3 Coburn Hill Road, Laceyville, PA 18623.