Robert E. Welker, 88, of Renaissance Care Center in Canton, formerly of Astoria, died at 7:21 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in the emergency room at Graham Hospital in Canton.
He was born Jan. 5, 1916, in Woodland Township, Fulton County, a son of Jesse A. and Iva M. Ogden Welker. He married Doris W. Harris on Sept. 30, 1944, in Centralia. She died Dec. 27, 2002.
He also was preceded in death by one brother, Bruce; and two sisters, Naomi Phillips and Norma Welker.
Surviving are one daughter, Cheryl Treadway of Canton; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
He was a farmer all his life.
A 33rd degree Mason, he was a 42-year member of Astoria Masonic Lodge 100 AF&AM and Vermont Masonic Lodge 116 AF&AM, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1968.
He also was a member of Ansar Shrine AAONMS in Springfield; Illinois Valley Shrine Club in Beardstown; Scottish Rite Lodge Council Chapter Consistory in Springfield; Royal Arch Masons, Clarke Chapter 29 RAM in Beardstown; and Rushville Knights Templar Commandry 056, where he was a knight.
He was a member of Astoria Christian Church, where services will be held today at 10 a.m. with Gary Sheets officiating. Burial will be in Astoria Cemetery. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or Vermont Masonic Lodge 116 AF&AM.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus