JOHN E. WELKER

John Welker

John E. Welker, 63, of Canton, died at 7:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, 1997, at his home.

He was born Aug. 6, 1934, in Astoria, a son of Bruce G. and Eva Easley Welker. He married Carol Lee Markley on Feb. 25, 1952 in Weldon, Ark. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Deborah Welker of Rochester, N.Y., Ronda Tarboletti of Bartlesville, Okla., and Patti Shoop of Ipava; his mother, Eva Welker of Astoria; three brothers, Raymond Welker of Vero Beach, Fla., Franklin Welker of Princeville, and Allen Welker of Vermont; four sisters, Anna Maye Fouts of Ipava, Judy Hopkins of Astoria, Norma Holmes of East Peoria, and Brenda Heath of Urbana, Ohio; three grandsons; and two step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He worked for 32 years at WITCO as a maintenance engineer. He also farmed.

Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with Rev. Curt Foss officiating. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery near Astoria. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Spoon River Hospice Association.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/20/1997

[Laura's note: John's mother was listed here as Eva Easley Welker, but her obituary lists her name as Eva Lybarger Welker. Easley was Eva's mother's maiden name.]