WENDELL WELCH

Wendell William Welch, 72, of DeSoto, Mo., died Thursday, May 10, 2001, at Baisch Nursing Center in DeSoto.

He was born Jan. 1, 1929, at Marble Hill, Mo., son of Connel Bryan and Mabel E. Luckey Welch. He and Joan Likens were married June 1, 1951, in Cape Girardeau. She died May 18, 1983.

Welch had been a truck driver for several companies. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

He served in Missouri Army National Guard.

Survivors include three sons, David Welch of Harrison, Ark., Alan Welch of Festus, Mo., Bill Welch of Barnhart, Mo.; a daughter, Teresa Dame of Wolf Lake, Ill.; two brothers, Joe Welch of Cullman, Ala., Bryan Welch of Tazewell, Tenn.; a sister, Lois Niswonger of Cape Girardeau; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-7 p.m. today.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the chapel, with the Rev. Jerry Statler officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.