Hancock County Journal-Pilot
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
May 5, 2004DONALD WELCH
June 6, 1930 -- April 28, 2004
Donald Welch, 73, of Carthage, died Wednesday, April 28, at the V.F.W. Hall in Carthage from natural causes.
He was born June 6, 1930, the son of George and Gladys (Hobart) Welch in Webster. He graduated from Carthage High School. On June 3, 1950, he married Mary Lou Rahn in Warsaw.
He is survived by one daughter, Donna (Rick) Borst of Fort Madison, Iowa; one son, Randy (Laura) Welch of Springfield; four grandchildren; one sister, Doris Hurt of Colchester; and one brother Richard "Dick" Welch of Carthage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Lou in 1996; one sister, Darlene, and a brother, Darrell.
Don had worked as a carpenter apprentice with Long & Lawrence until 1952 when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He received his honorable discharge in February of 1954. After service he ran Don Welch Contracting and also owned Carthage Home Decorating for over 20 years. He served as the fire chief of the Carthage Clippers Volunteer Fire Department in Carthage from 1972-1977 and had been active in the Boy Scouts. He was commander of V.F.W. Post #5117 in Carthage for the last five years and was past commander of the American Legion Post in Carthage.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 1, at the First United Methodist Church in Carthage with Pastor Bill Pyatt officiating. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery in Carthage.
A memorial fund has been established. Printy Funeral Home in Carthage is in charge of arrangements.
HCJP 5-5-04
Donald Welch
