VIDALIA, La. -- Fonnie Mearl Welch, 79, of Vidalia has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born Oct. 17, 1938, in Parma, Missouri, to Resper and Pansy Welch. He departed this world Monday, Jan. 15, 2018.

Fonnie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

A lifelong farmer, he started at age 12 and worked every year through the 2017 harvest season, a stretch of 67 working years. He wouldn't have had it any other way.

He was an excellent provider for his wife, children and grandchildren as well. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and in his younger years enjoyed a good turkey shoot. He also enjoyed buying and selling farm and construction equipment, and from time to time even made a profit. He loved to bake cakes and fry fish, and never seemed to miss an opportunity to ask guests if they wanted a honey bun or a Coke.

Fonnie was preceded in death by his father, Resper Welch; mother, Pansy Sanders Welch; wife, Patricia Heady Welch; and two brothers, Darell and Michael Welch.

He is survived by a daughter, Rhonda (Gary) Cooper of Advance; three sons, Stephen (Debbie) Welch of Advance, Brad Welch of Vidalia and daughter-in-law, Annie Welch of Natchez, Mississippi, and Bryan (Becky) Welch of Jackson; three brothers, Resper Lynn Welch Jr. of Little Rock, Arkansas, Lonnie (Carol) Welch of Vidalia and Danny Welch of Natchez; and a sister, Patsy (Ronnie) Garner of Cape Girardeau.

He also is survived by nine grandchildren, Nicole, Galen, Matthew, Jeremy, Christopher, Brandi, Bradley, Ryan and Carly; and seven great-grandchildren, Zebin, Zane, Darcy, Emma, Drew, Braylin and Karson.

Fonnie will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Brother Ryan Welch and Kyle Carter officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.