Obituaries

September 21, 1929 to December 6, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Christian “Chris” Welker, 91, of Francesville, passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 6, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

He was born Sept. 21, 1929 in Cervenka, Yugoslavia to the late Ludwig and Luisa Koch Welker.

He is survived by:
Luisa Welker Bratt, Warrenton, MO, Sister
Julie Welker Bauman, Mansfield, OH, Sister
Hilda Welker Gutwein, Bluffton, Sister
Gertrude “Trudi” Gischka Welker, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Christl Nahrath, Niece
Luisa Jordan, Niece
Ron (Marie) Baumann, Nephew
Dawn (Jim) Kazmierzak, Niece
Gery (Mary) Welker, Nephew
Norman (Lynn) Welker, Nephew

Preceded in death by:
Ludwig Welker, Brother
Konrad Welker, Brother
Gisela (Adam) Welker Roth, Sister
Eduard Welker, Brother
Eddie Bratt, Brother-in-law
Jacob Bauman, Brother-in-law
Erven Gutwein, Brother-in-law

Mr. Welker and his family were forced out of their homeland in 1944. They not only lost their home and properties, but they lost Ludwig and Konrad (Chris’s brothers) as a result of World War II. The Welker family lived as refugees in Austria until they moved to the U.S. in 1951. Mr. Welker was a mechanic in his younger days and spent most of his life as a farmer; having farmed in Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. He was a loving brother and uncle who will be dearly missed.

A private funeral service will be held at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville with ministers of the church officiating. Private burial be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humanitarian Distribution Center.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.