Richard D. Welch (2017)

WELCH, HIRCOCK, BELL, SNETHEN, FOREMAN, JOHNSTON, WEBB, MASON, WILLIAMS, NEISEMIER

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 3/2/2017 at 21:32:07

Armstrong Funeral Homes
Mt Ayr, Iowa

Richard D. Welch

Richard Duane Welch, son of Wayne Lucas & Rena Blanche (Hircock) Welch, was born at the Madison County Hospital in Winterset, Iowa on February 14, 1943.

Richard grew up in Winterset and graduated from Winterset High School in 1961. Richard began college at NW Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. On February 13, 1964, Richard entered into the United States Air Force and faithfully served his country. His duty assignments included Lackland AFB, TX, Lowry AFB, CO, Offut AFB, NE, and Hickam AFB, HI. Richard was a Photo Interpretation Specialist and he was honorably discharged on February 9, 1968 as a Sergeant. Richard resumed college at Graceland College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Economics.

Richard married Margaret Kay Bell in 1965 and to this marriage, two children were born: Shellie and Ryan. They divorced in 1979. Richard married Ruth (Snethen) Foreman in 1985.

Richard lived and worked in Lamoni, IA, Phoenix, AZ, Casa Grande, AZ, Avondale, AZ, and Surprise, AZ. He owned and operated the Welch’s Standard Oil station in Lamoni from 1971 to 1979. After moving to Arizona, he enjoyed selling vehicles at auto dealerships. Richard became a resident of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr on October 10, 2015.

Richard enjoyed traveling, fishing, horse racing, watching NASCAR racing, snowmobiling, gardening and playing cards which included bridge and poker.

Richard peacefully passed away on February 20, 2017 at Clearview Home. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ronald Wayne Welch; brother-in-law Thomas Robert Johnston; and niece Amy Suzanne (Welch) Webb.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children Shellie (Welch) Mason of Avondale, AZ and Ryan D. Welch of Lamoni, IA; two grandchildren Michael Steven Mason, Jr and McKenzie Taylor Mason, both of Avondale, AZ; sister Roxanne Welch Williams & husband Ron of Indianola, IA; sister-in-law Connie (Neisemier) Welch of Windermere, FL; other relatives and friends.

Memorials are to HCI Care Services in Mount Ayr.