Dr. Alta Walker Eitel, a 91-year-old resident of Trenton, died on Saturday, May 17, 2003 at the Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton after a short illness. She was a retired family physician and surgeon.
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Dr. Alta Walker Eitel, a 91-year-old resident of Trenton, died on Saturday, May 17, 2003 at the Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton after a short illness. She was a retired family physician and surgeon.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at the First Baptist Church in Trenton. Burial will be in the Resthaven Memorial Gardens. A family visitation is from 7 to 8 o’clock tonight (Monday, May 19, 2003) at the Resthaven Mortuary.
Dr. Eitel received a degree in biology from the University of Missouri. She taught school at what was called the Brantley, then at schools in Harris, Brookfield and, finally, at Hickman High School in Columbia. Dr. Eitel attended medical training at the University of Missouri Medical School and the Jewish Hospital in Kansas City. In 1950, she received a degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville. She was one of five women out of a class of 100 in her medical class.
In July 1950, Dr. Eitel and her husband, Manuel, moved to Galt, and opened a clinic, where she practiced medicine for 23 years. She was affiliated with the Sullivan County Hospital in Milan. After a period of time, she was able to build a modern clinic with a lab and x-ray machine. In 1972, Dr. Eitel sold the family farm and moved her practice to Trenton.
She became affiliated with Wright Memorial Hospital, where she served as chief of staff. In addition, Dr. Eitel was considered a one-of-a-kind country doctor who served her patients day and night. She retired from her practice on July 1, 1984, the same day she was recognized in Who’s Who in America.
Dr. Eitel was the 338th person to be certified by the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice in the entire profession. Memberships included the American Osteopathic Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians, North Central Osteopathic Association, American Association of University Women, Daughters of American Revolution, was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church and was past president of the Business and Professional Women of Milan.
Dr. Eitel was dedicated to her church and belief in God. After her retirement, she became a chaplain who served and counseled at the Chillicothe prison facility. Her greatest gift was the celebration of life and love, of the joy of serving and of the inner peace that comes from knowing that the source of all wisdom is God.
Dr. Eitel is survived be her daughter, Peggy Mitchell, and Dick Howell of Springfield; two granddaughters, Melanie Wexler and her husband, Ian, and their two children, Jacob and Zoey of Gaithersburg, MD, and Meara Lee Mitchell of Independence; a lifelong friend, Clara Berlin of Trenton; one adopted daughter, Elaine Riddle and her husband, David, of Laredo; three grandsons, Jimmy, Shawn and Scott Riddle and his three children; loving nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.
Dr. Eitel was preceded in death by her husband, Manual M. Eitel Sr.; her parents, William Madison Walker and Ada Covey Walker; five brothers, Otis, Carl, Millard, Ernest and Wade Walker; two sisters, Alma and Mabel Walker; and one son, Manual M. (Buddy) Eitel Jr.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Trenton or the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine at 800 W. Jefferson St., Kirksville, MO 63501-1497.
(paid obituary)