Leslie Welker
East Alton |
Leslie Lee Welker, 87, passed away at 7:50am on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at Bethalto Care Center. He was born on May 8, 1926, in Millersville, Missouri the son of the late George and Amanda (Bryant) Welker. He married the former Beatrice Brown on March 15, 1946, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and she preceded him in death on May 14, 2002. He then married Beulah Staats on May 8, 2010, in Roxana and she survives. Other survivors include one daughter and son in law: Leslie and Dana Rigsbey of Wood River, one son and daughter in law: Jeff and Cindy Welker of O'Fallon, Illinois, two step - daughters and their husbands: Rita and Philip Frohne of Hazelwood, Missouri, Sheila and Steve Avery of Milton, Georgia, one step - son and his wife: Dewayne and Carla Staats of Clearwater Beach, Florida, five grandchildren: Kristy Ann Welker of Roxana, David Rigsbey of Wood River, Don Nowak of Wood River, Amanda Nowak of O'Fallon, Illinois, David Nowak of O'Fallon, Illinois, two great grandchildren: Shawn James Fulton, Gabriella Welker, seven step grandchildren, and eight step great grandchildren.
He was formerly employed as an assembly line worker at Ford Motor Company for 30 years prior to his retirement in 1980. He loved fishing, baseball, and football. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Roxana. He loved the Lord and reading the KJV Bible and taught various Sunday School classes for forty years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
In addition to his parents, and his wife Beatrice, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Lori Kay Rigsbey, four brothers: Clarence, Fred, Cloy, Lyman, five sisters: Ella Nieswonger, Connie Green, Dessie Newell, Marie Hager, and Jean Schreiner.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 9 am until time of funeral services at 11:30 am on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Pastor Clyde Myers and Pastor Roy Gibbs will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens with full military rites by the Ritual Team of VFW Post 1308 of Alton.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warriors or to Gideon's International.
Online guestbook available at www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com
Pitchford Funeral Home
