J B Welcher

J B Welcher, 84, was born on August 20, 1925, in Russellville, Arkansas to Gus Odell and Ora Bradford Welcher. He passed from this life to the next at his home in Russellville on February 19, 2010. He was preceded in death by both his parents, by a son, Carol David Welcher, a daughter-in-law, Mary Welcher, a grandson, Scott Welcher, and by his beloved brother-in-arms, Virgil Cheatham.
Mr. Welcher is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Margaret Blanche Shinn Welcher, of the home; his eldest son and daughter-in-law, Louis and Candace Welcher of Russellville; his younger son and daughter-in-law, Cliff Welcher and Rhonda Wolf of Benton, AR; a grandson & his wife, Richard and Christina Welcher, of Fayetteville; a grandson, David Welcher of Fayetteville; a granddaughter and her husband, Brandie and John Staten of Pottsville, and seven great-grandchildren, Faith & Savannah Staten, Sarah, Peter, Luke, Jacob, and Clare Welcher. He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Oliver Venable of Russellvillle, a sister Iva Price of Charleston, Arkansas, a sister and brother-in-law, Hettie and Irvin Rachel of Russellville, a sister, Ruth Turnbow of Russellville, a sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Lyndal Allison of Hector, and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Phyllis Welcher of Morresville, NC. Mr. Welcher is also survived by several nieces, nephews, their spouses, grand nieces and grand nephews, and a host of dear friends. He served with honor and distinction in the South Pacific during World War II in the U.S. Navy SeaBees, and was then a butcher in the Russellville area for over 40 years. He was a long-time member of the Assembly of God Church, serving on the Board of Deacons and as Sunday School Superintendent for much of that time. His bass voice was enjoyed by all who heard him sing, and he especially loved singing the old-fashioned Southern Gospel songs with his family, in quartets, and at countless singing conventions throughout the state. After suffering with various forms of cancer for almost 20 years, he went to meet Our Lord and the Saints gone before him, slipping peacefully to eternal rest with his family at his side. Funeral Service will be 2:00p.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at All Saints Episcopal Church. Reverend Gerald Chenowith will officiate. Burial will be at Pisgah cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be 1pm to 2pm Tuesday prior to the service. Interment obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humpheyfuneral.com.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Thurlby, Dr. Sneed, and the wonderful nursing staff in the ER and oncology clinic at St. Marys Regional Medical Center. They especially wish to recognize the perfect care and concern of AR Dept of Health Hospice, and his Case Manager, Janet Wiley, R.N. They also express their appreciation to all who have prayed and otherwise shown wonderful support to him and his family throughout his illness and at the time of his death. May God richly bless you.
Pallbearers will be Richard Welcher, David Welcher, John Staten, John Jennings, David Finley, Paul Crone. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lyndal Allison, Wayne Finley, Irvin Rachel, Oliver Venable, Robert Welcher, Dr. Thomas Sneed, Dr. Robert Thurlby, Mike Schwander, Gerald May, Troy May, Victor Allsion, Greg Allison, Paul Rachel, David Rachel, Jimmy Shinn.
Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Health Department Hospice, 404 North ElPaso, Russellville, Arkansas 72801 or the American Cancer Society, C/O Judy Murphy, 126 Lakeview Circle, Russellville, Arkansas 72802 or the Riggs Hamilton Post of the American Legion, 214 N DENVER AVE, Russellville, AR 72801.

PDF Printable Version