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Joseph (Joe) Nelson Welch The information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.
Dec 2, 1920 - Jan 9, 2013
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
Joseph (Joe) Nelson Welch, lifelong resident
of Ponca City, passed Wednesday, January 9, 2013
at his home. He was 92 years of age.
Joe was born December 2, 1920 in Ponca City, the
son of Nelson Herbert (Ted) Welch and Eulailia
Ida (Pennock) Welch. He attended Washington
Grade School and Ponca City Jr. and Sr. High
school, graduating in 1939. In 1939 he began
employment with Welch Masonry Construction
Company with his father and brothers and became
a brick mason in 1940. He and his brothers
became co-owners of the company in 1963,
continuing the tradition of providing superior
masonry construction services to the northern
Oklahoma area that was established by their
grandfather prior to statehood. Joe was a master
craftsman and was sought out by area builders
and architects for his skill and dedication to
delivering the very best masonry construction
possible. Joe’s skills remain on display
throughout the area in numerous residential and
commercial buildings such as St. Mary’s Catholic
Church, Centennial Plaza bricks, the library
addition, First Baptist Church, 2nd addition to
the Ponca City Hospital, Jewish Temple and
several other still existing buildings. Joe was
dedicated to the welfare of his employees and
fellow construction workers and demonstrated
this through his strong support of the
bricklayers union local of which he remained a
committed member.
Joe served his country in the United States Army
from 1941 to 1945, serving in Italy and North
Africa. Joe was recognized for his service
during WW II by being awarded two Bronze Stars.
He was honorably discharged from the Army on
October 12, 1945. He was married to Lila Mae
Stalman on March 18, 1949 at St. Mary’s Catholic
Church in Ponca City. He is a longtime member of
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, V.F.W., Military
Order of the Cooties, Brick Mason and Allied
Craftsman Association, former president and
vice-president of the Chikaskia Square Dance
Club, and the Knights of Columbus where he
obtained 4th Degree Knight Status. His
enjoyments included the outdoors, boating on Kaw
Lake, country and big band music, traveling,
dancing, singing, and watching his family grow,
providing many memorable 4th of July productions
at the family home.
He is survived by his five children, Joseph Lee
Welch and wife, Monica, of Jenks, Oklahoma,
Beverly Phillips and husband, Gary, of Ponca
City, Robert N. Welch and wife, Cindy, of
Houston, Texas, Patricia Welch of Sapulpa,
Oklahoma, and William Leonard Welch of Ponca
City; ten grandchildren, Christina Whiles,
Kellina Krebs, Kimberly Lewczak, Joseph Salim
Welch, Robert Welch, Eric Welch, Jennifer Welch,
Geoffrey Welch, Alicia Welch, William Welch;
nine great grandchildren, Alexis Whiles, Jory
Sample, Hunter Krebs, Kendall Lewczak,
Christopher Welch, Ella Welch, Lily Welch,
Kaylie Welch and Luke Welch; three brothers, Don
Welch, Lloyd Welch and Leroy Welch; one sister,
Nila Larkins and one step-sister, Marilyn Cook;
numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended
family.
God’s speed Dad, you were a fantastic husband,
father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend
to all. You were a true christian even before
you became a Catholic. We love you and will miss
you, your children, grandchildren, great
grandchildren and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his
wife; one brother, Allen Welch and one infant
sister, Patricia Welch.
A Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday,
January 13, 2013 at Grace Memorial Chapel. Mass
of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m.
Monday, January 14, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic
Church with Father Kevin Ratterman serving as
celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s
Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Grace
Memorial Chapel.
Casket bearers will be grandsons, Michael Krebs,
Joseph Welch, Robert Welch, Eric Welch, Geoffrey
Welch and William Welch.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, 707 East Ponca Ave., Ponca
City, Oklahoma 74601 or to Disabled American
Veterans Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.
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