Richard Welker

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Richard Lee Welker, 58, of Chaffee, formerly of Jackson, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 5, 1947, in Cape Girardeau, son of Lyman L. and Norma Randol Welker. He and Alice Green were married May 22, 1987, in Jackson.

Richard attended Jackson High School, and was a member of the 1140th Infantry Division of the Missouri National Guard in Jackson from Sept. 28, 1966, until April 15, 1976, serving as staff sergeant.

He worked at the former International Shoe Co. in Jackson from 1968 until 1988, and the former LeeRowan Co. in Jackson from 1990 until his retirement in 2005 due to ill health.

Richard was a member of Jackson Elks Lodge 2652, Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, and coached Little League in Jackson many years. Richard enjoyed watching NASCAR, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, but his favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren.

Loving survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Welker of Maryland Heights, Mo.; a daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Matt Kasten of Jackson; a stepdaughter and husband, Leslie and Scott Horman of Chaffee; a sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Bob Gribler of Fruitland; four grandchildren, Dylan Snell, Drue Welker, Caleb and Kelsey Kasten; and two stepgrandchildren, Garner and Griffin Horman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and Frank and Nola Delph.

Friends may call today between 4 and 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Revs. Stephen Niswonger and Doyle Randol officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family on-line at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.