John Welch

John Gilbert Welch, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 27, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center, with his family by his side.

He was born Oct. 23, 1938, in Cape Girardeau to Robert L. and Louise Mae Koch Welch. He and Mary Ellen Goodwin were married Feb. 8, 1958, in Cape Girardeau. She preceded him in death Feb 7, 2020.

He served in the Army and Army Reserve from 1956 to 1963.

John was a manager at Cape Ready Mix for 27 years, partnered with his son at Welch Construction and Supply for eight years and retired from the City of Cape Girardeau as an inspector for the engineering department.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1111, Notre Dame School Board, commissioner of Boy Scouts, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital sponsor, member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and a long-time dedicated usher at St. Mary's Cathedral.

He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include a daughter, Julie (Marty) Platz of Jackson; sons, John R. Welch and Joe H. (Tori) Welch, both of Cape Girardeau; brother, Arthur Lee Welch of Banning, California; 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.

He was preceded in death his parents, wife and great-grandson, Tristen Allmon.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with parish prayers at 7 p.m., followed by recitation of the rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary's Cathedral.

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