Iona Welter

BENTON, Mo. -- Iona C. Welter, 94, of Benton died peacefully Monday, April 21, 2014, at home, surrounded by her family.

She was born Aug. 30, 1919, at Benton, to Albert V. and Ella Devine Bollinger. She and Paul Andrew Welter were married Sept. 13, 1942, in San Diego. He preceded her in death May 4, 1964.

Iona worked at the Southeast Missourian 25 years, and also worked at the Selective Service and Missouri State Department of Social Services. She was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church and its Ladies Sodality.

She is survived by a son, Mike (Mary Lou) Welter of Sikeston, Mo.; a daughter, Patricia (Joe) Ray of Enid, Okla.; a sister, Jo Ann Knight of Port Charlotte, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Lee Sutherland; a sister, Marie Gauthier; and three brothers, Lyman, Albert and Sylvester Bollinger.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Amick-Burnett Chapel in Benton.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Denis Church.

Online condolences may be shared at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.