Gaye "Happy" Walts, 78, of Fort Wayne passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022 in her home. She was born to Harlan and Sarah Walts on July 21, 1944 at Camp Atterbury in Indianapolis, her father being in the military at the time. She has one brother, Jay Walts, who resides in Florida.

Happy was a graduate of Ball State University with a degree in elementary education and pursued her passion of teaching and her students. Her teaching career began with Fort Wayne Community Schools at Franke Park Elementary from 1966 to 1972. In the fall of 1972 Happy and longtime friend and mentor, Aida Toffolo left FWCS in faith to start Blackhawk Christian School at the corner of State and Lahmayer in Fort Wayne. There were 24 students enrolled that first year. This year school enrollment is 1043 students. During her ministry at BCS Happy taught several elementary grade levels and finished her career there serving as elementary principal. Beyond teaching academics she engaged her students with extracurricular activities such as Chess Club, Jacks Club and the annual Spring Kickball Tournament. She was also intentional in teaching her students the Truth of God's Word, the Bible, fostering them to engage in a personal walk with the Lord. Happy retired in 2007 but remained very active in the school to this very year.

Happy is survived by her dear friend, Aida Toffolo, her brother Jay (Nancy) Walts, two nieces, Beth and Gayle, and a nephew, Eric. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan Walts and Sarah (Neese Walts) Cowin and her step-father, Harold Cowin. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 3:00 pm in the Worship Center of Blackhawk Ministries, 7400 East State Boulevard, Fort Wayne. Memorial gifts can be made to Blackhawk Christian School. To sign the online guestbook, go to fairhavenfortwayne.com

"The student who is fully trained will become like (his) teacher." (Luke 6:40 NLT).