Jackie Welker

Jackie (Jack) Ray Welker

Jackie (Jack) Ray Welker, 59, of Williamstown, MO died Saturday, March 17, 2012 in his home. Jack is finally at peace, after a long battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

He was born October 25, 1952 at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, IL, a son of Richard R. and Doris L. Tucker Welker. He married Shelia Kirchner on March 1, 1975 at the Shrine of St. Patrick, St. Patrick, MO. She survives.

Other survivors include one daughter, Kellie Fisher and her husband Hank of Canton, MO; one son, Scott Welker and his wife Kimber of Excelsior Springs, MO; four grandchildren, Macie and Ella Fisher and Brendon and Connor Welker; mother-in-law, Dorothy Kirchner of Wyaconda, MO; one brother, Larry Welker and his wife Debbie of Cape Girardeau, MO; one sister Bobbie Toops and her husband Robert of Williamstown, MO; brothers and sisters-in-law: Steve Kirchner and his wife, Debbi, of Wyaconda, MO, Sheri Kirchner and Bryan Crowl of Baring, MO, Dennis Kirchner and Pam Payne of Williamstown, MO and Susan Kirchner of Wyaconda, MO; seven nephews: Rob(Kim) Toops of Sedalia, MO, Rich Toops of Williamstown, MO, Matthew Welker of Fairview Heights, IL, Brad(Candy) Kirchner, Jared Kirchner, Nathan(Kim) Kirchner all of Wyaconda, MO, Lance Smith of Farmington, IA, three nieces Tonya(Adam) South, Teresa(James) Medley of Cape Girardeau, MO, Angela Kirchner of LaBelle, MO; three great-nephews, Hunter Welker of Cape Girardeau, MO, Cadence Kirchner of Rolla, MO, Brock Kirchner of Wyaconda, MO, seven great-nieces, Taylor Welker and Caelyn Medley of Cape Girardeau, MO, Megan and Sydney Toops of Sedalia, MO, Addison Kirchner and Carley Kirchner, of Wyaconda, MO, Chesney Smith of Farmington, IA; uncles and aunts, Wayne and Norma Welker of Williamstown, MO, Tommie Welker of Wayland, MO, Robert and Rita Kirchner of Canton, MO,Kenneth Uhlmeyer of Canton, MO, Eileen Kichner of Hillsboro, IA, Geneva Wiegand and Nina Wiegand both of Davenport, IA, Gerry Wiegand of Fort Madison, IA and George Joe Wiegand of Oklahoma City, OK; as well as cousins and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five uncles, Arnold, Floyd, Franklin and Virgil Welker and Virgil (Bud) St.Clair, four aunts, Thelma, Zelna and Ann Welker and Dorotheann St. Clair.

Jack graduated from Canton R-V in 1970. He looked forward to and enjoyed each 5-year Class Reunion to visit with all of his classmates.

He farmed most of his life until his health would not let him and was a Grader Operator for Lewis County Highway from 1989-2010, in which he took great pride and joy. Jack was a fighter. He fought a battle for 36 years against Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He was the 2009 Lewis County Relay for Life Hero of Hope. He was definitely a Hero!!!

He went into the Catholic faith, March 1991, at the Shrine of St. Patrick, St. Patrick MO. He was a member of the Monticello Masonic Lodge # 58 Monticello, MO and a past Volunteer Fireman for the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Dept.

He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and family. Going out to the farm, giving them rides on his tractor, rhino or lawn mower, just being and doing whatever he could with them made him happy. He also enjoyed going out to the Kirchner's Sunday family gatherings.

Jack never thought he would see his children grown, let alone, married and have children of their own. He was very proud of the young adults they have become.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Shrine of St. Patrick, St. Patrick, MO with Father Paul M. Hartley officiant. Burial was in the Ballard Cemetery, rural Kahoka, MO.

Memorials in lieu of flowers were suggested to NEMO Hospice, Palliative Care at Boone Hospital, Columbia, MO, or to the donor's choice.