Johanna “Joan” Welker of Perryville, went to her eternal rest on Nov. 26, 2021. She was born July 28, 1934 to the late Edwin F. and Mary (Schumer) Unverferth.
She and Thomas J. Welker were married on Oct. 30, 1954, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Perryville. Thomas preceded her in death on Feb. 25, 1996.
Joan was known first and foremost for her love of Jesus Christ and her family. Her greatest joys were caring for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She prayed for them without ceasing. She was a woman whose heart overflowed with love and kindness for everyone she met. Her cheerful disposition and positive outlook could always bring a smile to your face. She could always be counted on to bring an angel food cake with sprinkles to a birthday party, share her delicious potato salad for every holiday, and last, but not least, provide plenty of her world-famous banana pudding (in the green bowl) for the family who loved her.
For most of her life Joan was a homemaker, but she was also employed with the International Shoe Company, the Miraculous Medal office, and most recently served as a volunteer at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Overcomers Church International of Perryville and spoke often of her church family and pastors.
Joan is survived by four children, Rick Welker, Robert ‘Bob’ (Peggy) Welker, and Dianne Papin, all of Perryville, Missouri, and Timothy Welker, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri. She has 10 grandchildren, Joshua (Tessa) Welker, Matthew (Ashley) Welker, Kyle (Linzie) Welker and Nicole Welker (children of Rick Welker), Kaitlin (Ted) Alfermann, Jaclyn (Adam) Reinagel and Haley (Josh) Brantley (children of Bob Welker), and Billy Hudson, Joshua Hudson and Mindy (Todd) Welker (children of Dianne Papin), and many wonderful great grandchildren.
She is survived by two siblings, Jim Unverferth of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mary Ann Becker of Perryville. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Debra (Leonard) Pauly on Sept. 23, 2007. Nine siblings, including her twin brother Jack Unverferth, Joe Unverferth, Rosemary Healey, Ruth Baer, Alma Schumer, Thomas “Pete” Unverferth, Ed “Sonny” Unverferth, Regina Unverferth and Edwin Unverferth.
Visitation was at Ford & Young Funeral Home Monday Nov. 29 and Tuesday Nov. 30. Funeral Service followed at Ford & Young Funeral Home with Rev. Kent Ward Officiating.
Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Perryville.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Ford & Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.
