Gerald J. Welch

Gerald J. Welch, 96, of Peru, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024 at Pleasant View Healthcare in Ottawa.

Mass of Christian burial will be 1:00 PM Thursday May 30 at St. Joseph’s Church in Peru with Rev. J.A. Small officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Thursday from 11:00 AM until time of services. Burial will follow the mass at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Webster Park with full military conducted by the Peru Veterans’ Memorial Group. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Mr. Welch was born in Spring Valley on May 24, 1927 to Harry and Margaret (Lemler) Welch. He married Mildred Mlaker. He served with the United States Army from 1945 to 1949 as an auto mechanic and Motor Sergeant. He worked with the Carpenters’ Union #195. He enjoyed woodworking and serving as an honor guard and member of the Peru Veterans’ Memorial Group. 

Mr. Welch is survived by four grandchildren Jacey (Chris) Etscheid of Seatonville, Terri Welch of Peru, Destin Morris of CA, and Oriel Morris of FL; three great-grandchildren Kaya Maddix Morris, Maya Grace Etscheid, and Liam Etscheid; his former daughter-in-law Bonnie Welch of Peru; and two sisters Yvonne Serby of Ottawa and Mary Helen Ruffu of CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mildred, one son Gary A. Welch, one daughter Bonnie J. Morris Friend, and one brother Harry Welch.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald J. Welch, please visit our floral store.