Fredrick J.Welch

Fredrick J. Welch, 88, of Little York, Il died at 2:45 P.M. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at his home.

He was born January 19, 1924 in Little York, the son of Archibald and Alma Fredricka (Riley) Welch. He was raised and educated in Little York, where he graduated from Little York High School in 1942, and then attended Western Illinois University the same year.

He enlisted in early 1943 in the U.S. Navy and served as a Radio Operator on the USS Wasatch and was discharged in January 1946 as a RM 2nd Class.

Fred married Marilyn Lois Jones on September 18, 1946 and he farmed with his father-in-law, Howell Brownlee on the Brownlee farm, 2 miles north of Little York from 1946 to 1957. On June 10, 1957 he and his family moved into Little York where he started J & W Hardware and Gas. He divested the hardware store in 1965 and worked as Manager for Great Plains Gas until 1977, when he become Vice President and General Manager of the Carib Division of National Propane and moved to St. Thomas and St. Croix, US Virgin Island, where they lived from 1977 until 1985, when they returned to Little York, where he remained Midwest Regional Manager of National Propane until his retirement in 1988. He had served as Justice of the Peace in Little York and Alexis from 1958 to 1965. He was a loving husband of 65years, father, grandfather and a friend to everyone he met.

After retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife and taking his grandchildren on vacation. He enjoyed playing golf, cribbage and working in his wood shop. He loved spending time with his Masonic work, the Elks, VFW and Friday night dinners at the American legion. From 1997 to 2008 he and his wife wintered in Rockport, Texas.

He was a member of the Little Cedar Presbyterian Church in Little York, a lifetime member and two time Past exalted Ruler of the Elks Club, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Mohamed Shrine in Peoria. In 1982, he had the honor of being elected to the Kachina Klub Court of Jesters in Panama, Central America. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 136 and the V.F.W. Post 2301.

His family includes his Wife Marilyn of Little York, son Fred H (Susan) Welch of Dickinson, TX, daughter, Cindy A. Bennett of Little York, nephew, Mick (Linda) Welch of Longmont, CO, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John Welch, daughter, Deborah Horner, son-in-law, Johnnie Bennett, niece, Susan Welch and nephew, Lee Welch.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 18, 2012 at Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel, Monmouth with Phil Cooper officiating. Burial will be in Monmouth Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday, June 17, 2012 after 1:00 P.M. where his family will be present from 3:00-5:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the Shriners Children's Hospital, the Elks Children's Hospital or OSF Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.hooverhall.com
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