Eric J. Waller

Eric J. Waller, 19, died Monday, April 25, 2005, at a Colorado hospital after an accidental fall at his dormitory in Colorado Springs, CO, where he was an Airman First Class at Peterson Air Force Base.
     He was born March 14, 1986, at Manhattan, KS, the son of Dale and Deborah Luebbering Waller. In May of 1987 the family moved to Baileyville, KS, where his dad is a veterinarian. Eric helped his dad on their farm and with bees as a beekeeper. He graduated from B&B High School in 2004. He was on the honor roll and in Future Business Leaders all four years, participated in Scholar’s Bowl, Boy’s State, track, Who’s Who in junior year, and the senior play.
     On May 24, 2004, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was sent to Lackland Air Force Base for basic training. He was enrolled in Computer and Communication School at Kesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. After completing school in October, he was sent to the 50th Space Communication Squadron at Colorado Springs. He lived at Peterson Air Force Base at Colorado Springs.
     He was a member of Sacred Heart Church at Baileyville where he had been a server. He was a member of the CYC and attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Houston, TX in November of 2003.
     Survivors besides his parents are a brother, Nathan; three sisters, Becky, Lisa, and Laura, all of the home in Baileyville; grandparents, John and Phyllis Waller of Hoyt, and Paul and Lillie Luebbering of Mora, Mo; and a special friend, A/2C Brittney Howell of Amarillo, TX.
     Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The burial will be with military honors in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 2 and 7 P.M. Friday at the Lauer Funeral Home, where he will lie in state after 8:30 A.M. on Friday.
     Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church or for a special transplant organization, and sent in care of the family.