Donald Welker

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Donald A. Welker, 77, of Perryville died Sunday, April 5, 2015, at Estates of Perryville.

He was born Jan. 23, 1938, in Perryville, son of Joseph A. and Anna B. Buchheit Welker. He and Ann Krauss were married May 14, 1966.

Donald was an agriculture and livestock farmer. He enjoyed doing custom hay baling for area farmers.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek. He was treasurer of St. Joseph Men's Organization and secretary and treasurer of Perry County Rural Fire Association. He was a member of American Legion Post 133, Knights of Columbus Council 1263, and former committee member of Perry County Farm Service Agency.

He loved playing the role of "Junior Samples" in the Hee Haw Show Apple Creek Style.

He served in the Army National Guard.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Michelle (Brian) Mueller of Perryville; a son, Jason Welker of St. Louis; four siblings, Margaret Wibbenmeyer, Francis (Joan Marie) Welker, Dorothy Versheldon and Helen (Dave) Buerck, all of Perryville; and three grandchildren, Emma, Jonathan and Anna Mueller.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James and Thomas Welker.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 6:30 to 9:20 a.m. Thursday at Young & Sons Funeral Home. The rosary will be at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek, with the Rev. Jim French and Deacon Walter Biri co-officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery in Apple Creek.

Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph Church Maintenance Fund or St. Vincent, Immanuel Lutheran or Saxony Lutheran Schools.

Online condolences may be made at youngandsonsfuneral.com.