Joseph William Welsh, called Joe by friends and family, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018. He was at Monroe County Hospital under hospice care.
Joe was born on September 19, 1948 to Edward and Wilfreda (Durbala) Welsh in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm near Lovilia and he graduated from the Albia High School with the class of 1966.
On April 6, 1968 he was married to Beatrice Kathleen “Kathy: Bregar at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, Iowa. They were blessed with three children; Michelle, Mindy, and Mark. Joe and Kathy shared 50 years of marriage.
He served his country in the United States Army with the 1st Calvary in Vietnam.
He obtained an associate degree from DMACC in Des Moines and later attended computer programming classes and graduated at the top of his class. He worked for many companies doing IT work. His last employer before retirement was IDEX of Chicago. There Joe was director of IT and worked on implementing computer systems all over the United States and overseas.
Joe was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Lovilia where he served on parish council and the finance committee. In the community he served on the board of Helping Hands in Albia , Citizens Advisory Board of the Albia Comm.Schools, and he was a past Grand Knight of the the Knights of Columbus.
The Welsh family was of Irish heritage and Joe was proud of that and visited Ireland where he found the farm the family originated from and brought some of his Irish family to visit in Iowa.
Joe loved to travel with his wife and they spent 8 winters in South Texas and Arizona. Special time for Joe was teaching his grandchildren gardening, gun safety, how to drive ATVs, and attending their events.
He is survived by his wife and his children: Michelle (Kelly) Kuhlmann, Mindy (Brad) Stalzer, and Mark Welsh. Also, there are five grandchildren: Hannah Kuhlmann, Kyle Kuhlmann, Savannah Stalzer, Logan Stalzer, and Ethan Stalzer. He also leaves one brother, Richard Welsh, and one sister, Mary (Denny) Dunker.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and a infant brother, Anthony.
Services were Nov. 28, 2018 at St. Peter’s Catholic church, Lovilia, Iowa. Officiating were Father Mark Yates C.P.P.S and Father Michael Volkmer C.P.P.S. Burial was at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors.
Memorials may be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Welcome Home Soldier Memorial.
May he rest in peace.
Weller Glass
Weller Glass by Denise has a facebook page. Go visit it and find the stained glass art pieces being created by Denise Crall of Lovilia. Her shop is next to her home on 3rd Street. Her home is the former Louise Golec home. She will make custom pieces with the color of glass that the customer chooses. Go to her facebook page and enjoy the beauty and order something to enjoy.
Santa to Visit Lovilia Christmas Eve at 6 p.m.
News reached us Santa will visit the Lovilia Community Building Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. All children are invited to visit with him there. Merry Christmas!!!