Mary Ellen Welch of Cape Girardeau died peacefully Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, surrounded by her family at Ratliff Nursing Care, where she had resided for several years.

She was born March 19, 1939, in Cape Girardeau to William and Geneva Goodwin. She was raised by her uncle, Al Halter, from the time she was 2 years old.

Mary Ellen attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1957.

She married John G. Welch on Feb. 8, 1958. The couple would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary the day following her death.

Mary Ellen worked in retail for several years at Kmart, was a homemaker and assisted with the couple's business of Welch Construction and Supply and J.R. Welch Waterproofing.

She was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Mary's School Board and St. Mary's Church Council, and was a Cub Scout leader, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and also a volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Mary Ellen loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially loved camping at the family's cabin on Lake Wappapello and vacations in Florida for many years as their family grew.

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, John Welch; children, John R. Welch of Cape Girardeau, Julie (Marty) Platz of Jackson and Joe (Tori) Welch of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Jacob Welch, Ashley Sparkman, Brittni Baker, James Allmon, Dalton Welch and Hunter Platz; and great-grandchildren, Abagail Baker, Ella Sparkman, Serenity Allmon, Peyton Baker, Callie Baker and Vera Grace Sparkman. She is also survived by a half sister, Debbie Tretter of De Soto, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, uncle and a great-grandson, Tristen Allmon.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with parish prayers followed by Knights of Columbus Council 1111 rosary at 7 p.m., Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Cathedral or to a charity of choice.

The family would like to express its appreciation to the staff of Ratliff Nursing Care and Legacy Hospice for their excellent, loving care of Mary Ellen.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.