Joseph William Welsh

Joseph “Joe” William Welsh, age 70, of Lovilia, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018, at the Monroe County Hospital, under the care of EveryStep Hospice, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born on September 19, 1948, to Edward and Wilfreda (Durbala) Welsh in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He grew up and attended Albia High School graduating with the Class of 1966. On April 6, 1968, he was united in marriage to Beatrice Kathleen “Kathy” Bregar at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Michelle, Mindy, and Mark. Joe and Kathy shared 50 years of marriage prior to Joe’s passing. Joe served his country in the United States Army with the 1st Calvary during Vietnam. He obtained his Associate of Arts Degree from Drake University in Des Moines and later attended computer programming school where he graduated at the top of his class. Joe worked for many companies doing IT work, most recently working as the Director of IT for IDEX out of Chicago, where he worked on implementing computer systems all over the United States and overseas prior to his retirement. He was an active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and the Finance Committee. He was generous with his time, serving on the Helping Hands Board and the Schools Citizens Advisory Board. He was also a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was very proud of his Irish heritage, even traveling to Ireland where he was able to find the family farm and then bring some of them here to visit. Joe loved to travel with his wife, Kathy, and they spent the last 8 winters in South Texas and Arizona. Above all, Joe loved to spend time with his grandchildren, doing things such as teaching them to garden, gun safety, and to drive ATVs, as well as attending the many activities and events they were involved in. Joe is survived by his wife, Kathy Welsh; his children, Michelle (Kelly) Kuhlmann, Mindy (Brad) Stalzer, and Mark Welsh; 5 grandchildren, Hannah and Kyle Kuhlmann and Savannah, Logan, and Ethan Stalzer; a brother, Richard (Kathy) Welsh; and a sister, Mary (Denny) Dunker. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. He was preceded in death his parents, Ed and Freda Welsh and a brother, Anthony, in infancy. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Joe's family present to greet family and friends. A rosary will be led at 6:00 p.m., provided by the Knights of Columbus Council #4167 and will be followed by a Christian Wake Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, with Father Mark Yates officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia and Melrose will follow services at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Lovilia. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to JDRF and the Welcome Home Soldier Monument.

Joseph William Welsh

September 19, 1948 - November 25, 2018