Edward J. Welder

Edward J. Welder, son of John F. Welder and Fern Ruby Houghman Welder, was born November 4, 1936 in Perry, Iowa and died May 9, 2007 at the age of 70 years, 6 months and 5 days. Ed, as he was fondly known, grew up and attended school in Perry. He volunteered for the U.S. Air Force and served from 1954 to 1958, seeing duty in many countries including Germany, South Africa, England and Iceland. Ed married Jolene Ann Hunt April 16, 1960. They were parents of two sons, John and Bill. They lived most all of their married lives in Herndon. Ed worked for Burnett Ford Implement from 1959 to 1964 and then began his career in the meat packing industry. He worked for Iowa Pork, Oscar Mayer, and retired in 2001 from IBP. Ed belonged to Union Local 1149. Ed loved hunting, trapping, and fishing; enjoyed bird watching; NASCAR, and had a passion for rebuilding Ford Tractors. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Robert Rittgers, and great grandson Dylan Michaelson. Ed is survived by his sons: John and wife Dorothy of Perry; Bill of Cooper; 3 grandchildren: Tony Welder and Hillary Welder, both of Cooper; and Donald Michaelson and wife Liz of Yale, brothers: Don Welder and wife Shirley of Yale; Jim Coffin and wife Karen of Grand Junction; and Bill Coffin and wife Iris Ann of Perry; sisters: Hazel Graham and husband James of Ames; and Rose James and husband Richard of Minburn, several aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Hastings Funeral Home Inc. hstingsfh@qwest.net 1417 Second Street Perry, Iowa 50220