Wilma T. Welchlen

1927 - 2012

Wilma Welchlen

Wilma T. Welchlen, 85, of Marine, Ill., born April 11, 1927, in Alhambra, Ill., died at 11:26 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, at her residence.

Mrs. Welchlen grew up on the farm and attended Conn Country School south of Alhambra, Ill. She originally did housekeeping and babysitting, then she worked at the Egg Plant in Highland, Moulton-Bartley Shoe Factory in Highland, Wick Organ Plant during World War II, Alton Box Board Company and then went to work for the Marine Garment Factory. She worked at the Garment Factory until it closed and then moved to the Miss Elaine Garment Factory in O'Fallon, Ill., retiring from there in 1985. She enjoyed quilting and taking care of her grandchildren.

Wilma was a member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Marine, Ill., St. Elizabeth Altar Society, Marine, Ill., Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 5649 in Highland, Ill., and a retired member of the International Ladies Garment Worlders Union 404.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clemens Ulrich and Alma M., nee Ohren, Frank; and brothers and sisters, Alvin J. Frank, Duane Frank, Marie M. Suess, Laverne G. Moss, Clementine E. Rinderer, Norbert Frank, Clem J. Frank and Clara B. Heim.

Surviving are her husband, James C. Welchlen, whom she married on June 28, 1947, in Marine, Ill.; children, Catherine A. (Charlie) Stewart of Marine, Ill., David J. (Debbie) Welchlen of Vandalia, Ill., Michael (Sharon) Welchlen of Marine, Ill., and Mary M. (Keith) Alldredge of Marine, Ill.; brothers, Elmer (Joan) Frank of Alhambra, Ill., Lawrence E. (Pat) Frank of Pierron, Ill., and Leonard (Audrey) Frank of Alhambra, Ill.; sisters, Dorothy M. Landolt of Pocahontas, Ill., Hattie Keller of Waterloo, Ill., and Agnes A. (Roland) Keller of Grantfork, Ill.; grandchildren, Gregory C. (Jennifer L.) Stewart of Mount Pleasant, S.C., James R. (Jennifer D.) Stewart of Highland, Ill., Jason T. Welchlen of Lynchburg, Tenn., Tara M. (Trevor) Wright of Beecher City, Ill., Ty M. (Yvett) Stewart of Marine, Ill., Amber R. (Jeff) Kessler of St. Charles, Mo., Jenna L. (Justin) Lock of El Paso, Texas, Jennifer L. (Richard) Box of Highland, Ill., Kristen E. (Brian) Elder of Marine, Ill., and Leah M. Alldredge of Marine, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Ashley Stewart, Matthew Stewart, Thomas Stewart, Riley Stewart, Taylor Stewart, Emmalyn Wright, Ethyn Wright, Colton Welchlen, Paige Kessler, Isabella Kessler, Breckin Lock, Brinson Lock and Braxton Lock.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.spengel-boulanger.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Marine, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Marine, Ill., with Father Carlos M. Bohorquez officiating. Burial will be at St. Elizabeth Catholic Cemetery, Marine, Ill.

SPENGEL-BOULANGER

FUNERAL HOME,

Highland, Ill.