Dueward Welker

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Dueward Welker, 80, of Marble Hill died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004, at Eldercare of Marble Hill.

He was born March 31, 1924, in Stoddard County, Mo., son of Oscar and Ada Nations Welker. He and Rose Marie Kuehn were married April 13, 1946. She died March 12, 1989.

Welker had been a cutter and foreman at International Hat Co. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church at Leopold, Mo., and Knights of Columbus.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include two sons, Michael Welker of Marble Hill, Larry Welker of Springfield, Mo.; a daughter, Patricia Holland of Marble Hill; two sisters, Thelma Smith and Effie Buttrey of Advance, Mo.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a grandson.

Friends may call at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill from 4 to 8 p.m. today. Parish prayers and Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Church, with the Rev. Bill Huggins officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, with full military honors by Missouri Military Honors Team.