HAROLD JOSEPH WELCH

Harold Joseph Welch, 80, of Jefferson City, died Saturday, October 25, 2008, at University Hospital and Clinics. He was born on September 6, 1928, in Jefferson City, the son of John Joseph and Catherine Ann Martin Welch. He attended St. Peter and St. Martin area schools. He was united in marriage on May 30, 1953, in Rich Fountain, to Betty Ann Cortvrient, who survives at the home. Harold was a United States Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Colorado Springs and Newfoundland. As owner and operator of Harold Welch Construction, he built custom homes throughout the community for over forty years. He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, where he unselfishly devoted his time, talent, and expertise to the continual beautification and enhancement of the church and school. He served as Eucharistic Minister, usher and greeter. He held a leadership role in the fundraising efforts for the Capital Campaign; participated in Perpetual Adoration and was a past member of the Mens Association, Parish Council and Investment Club. Harold was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered with the Samaritan Center and Habitat for Humanity and was a former 4-H Club leader. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and combining his creativity and talent to design and build sentimental works of art, such as crucifixes, rosary garden stones and furniture. Harold was not only a very well respected and extremely talented craftsman, but also a devoted and kind husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be sadly missed by all. Other survivors include: five daughters and their spouses, Pam Wright, Blue Springs; Bev and Shawn Cunningham, Jefferson City; Marilyn and Bruce Casten, Lohman; Amy and Dan Asahl, St. Charles; Dawn and Todd Wilhelm, High Ridge; three sons and their wives, Ron and JoAnn Welch, Papillion, Neb.; Don and Sarah Welch, Jefferson City; Gregg and Sia Welch, Moscow, Russia; 21 grandchildren, Stacia Jarzobski; Ryan Welch; Jenna Welch; Lauren Welch; Tricia Hall; Matthew Welch; Bryan Welch; Jeremy Jones; Crista Beckhaus; Cara Hollmann; Erica Cunningham; Chris Cunningham; Mackenzie Casten; Madelyn Casten; Nicholas Casten; Lucas Welch; Ben Asahl; Bailey Asahl; Adeline Wilhelm; Harrison Wilhelm; Ryland Wilhelm; seven great-grandchildren, Katelyn Jarzobski; Brady Hollmann; Katherine Hollmann; Tayler Mathes; Addison Mathes; Ella Mathes; Jane Jones; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Dorothy Welch, Jefferson City; Robert and Helen Welch, Jefferson City; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Lamb, Jefferson City; and one brother-in-law, Jerome Cortvrient, Linn. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sisters and one brother, John B. Welch. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2008, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Entombment with military honors will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Cathedral of St. Joseph Building Fund, 2301 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.