Walter J. Scanlon, 71, of Kempton, died peacefully on Sept. 29, 2024, with his family by his side in Lehigh Valley Hospital.

He was the loving husband of Donna (Rybinski) for 49 years.

He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish.

Born in Queens, N.Y., in 1953, he was the son of the late William P. Scanlon and Helen (McAllister).

He lived in Paramus, N.J., early in his life until his family moved to Baldwinsville, N.Y., where he discovered his passion for the outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman in the upstate New York forests and waterways.

A member of the CYO at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Baldwinsville, he met the love of his life there.

He was a graduate of Bishop Ludden High School and Onondaga Community College.

He loved his work in the fishing, hunting and boating industries, which brought his family to settle in Kempton, and the community of Pine Lakes of Lynn.

He cherished this very special place, where he and his wife raised their three children.

Through his years in this community, he sponsored several fishing derbies for the children of the neighborhood and loved listening to the Talking Heads with his friends, who were more like family to him.

He was happiest when on his boat in the St. Lawrence River with family and friends or hunting behind one of his many beloved bird dogs.

He was a board member and chapter president of the of Lehigh Valley Ruffed Grouse Society.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by son Kevin and wife, Stacy (Dietrich), and grandsons Kevin Jr. and Clayton of New Tripoli; son Sean and wife, Alison (Bertoni), and grandchildren Liam and Lily of Fogelsville, and daughter Allison and husband, Mike Wall, and grandson Henry of Rutledge; his three rambunctious brothers Bill and wife, Phyllis (Lane), Michael and wife, Lynne (Duban), and Timothy and wife, Karen (Kenific); sister-in-law Joan (Rybinski) and husband, Roddy Stummer; and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved so much.

Visitation will take place 6-8 p.m. Oct. 3 at Keller Funeral Home, 1018 Church St., Fogelsville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 14833 Kutztown Road, Kutztown.

Interment at Jerusalem “Red” Church Cemetery, Kempton.

Condolences may be offered at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ruffed Grouse Society or to the Lowhill Food Pantry in his name, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 52, Fogelsville, PA 18051.