Gerald "Jerry" Welch

Gerald "Jerry" Dean Welch, 93 years old, a resident of Bellevue, Iowa, peacefully passed away on a crisp Fall morning, October 11, 2024. He was born in Jefferson, Iowa, to Marion Earl Welch and Fanchon Bernice (nee Buss). When Jerry was very young, his mother passed. Marion remarried and extended his family in Iowa. Many years later, Jerry and his father moved to Harvey, Illinois, where Jerry attended Thornton Township High School before joining the Navy.
In 1954, Jerry married Margaret Louise (nee Swanson) and started his own family in Markham, IL. During that time, he was a stock car racer and the "unofficial" welder at Raceway Park from the 1950s through the 70s. Jerry "Jingles" holds the record for Novice Champion in 1967, when he won 27 features and 25 heat races in his orange 1958 Chevy "000" car. In 1997, "Margie" unexpectedly passed away after a short battle with cancer. Soon after, Jerry decided to return to Iowa after he retired as a Job Foreman and proud member of the Pipefitters' Union 597.
Gerald was an independent, innovative, self-made man who was smart, strong-willed, a great provider, and did exactly what he wanted. His favorite pastimes included saving greenbacks, riding his Harley, fish fries and barbeques, and walleye fishing on the Mississippi River.
Jerry is survived by his loving daughters, Terry (Rick), Colleen (Larry), Cassie (John), and his son, Jim (Nicole). He is Grandfather to Gerald, Richard, Neal (Karissa), Jennifer (Brock), Elizabeth, John, Mikaela, Seth, and Dana. He is Big Papa to Isabella, Anthony, Sophia, Raymond, Kinley, Victoria, and Cole- Brother to Mable Welch.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Margie (nee Swanson), his parents, Marion "Buck" and Fanchon "Fannie," his stepmother, Rosemary, and his brothers, Ronald, Wayne, Jon, and Tod.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mill Valley Care Center and Hospice of Jackson County, Iowa. Special thanks to Kevin and Darcie Richman and family, Dick Steines, and all of the Bellevue residents that helped Jerry throughout the years.
Visitation Wednesday October 16, 2024, from 9 AM until time of Funeral Service 11 AM at Hickey Memorial Chapel, 4201 W. 147th St. Midlothian, IL 60445. Jerry will rest next to Margie at Chapel Hill Gardens South in Worth, IL. His legacy lives on and he will be missed. KOJA!