Donald A. Welch

September 22, 1942 - February 18, 2017

Donald Anthony Welch, Sr., 74, formerly of Fort Scott, died Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Medicalodge of Goddard in Goddard, Kansas. He was born September 22, 1942 in St. Clair County, Missouri the son of Milford Daniel and Anita Margaret (Jones) Welch, more commonly known as Mickey and Nettie.

The family moved to Marmaton, Kansas to a 170-acre farm and Don attended a 1-room school house, with a coal stove, and blackboards. After graduating with honors (that meant no spankings), he attended and graduated from Ft. Scott Junior High and High School.

Don was a hard worker on the farm, and he liked to fish, hunt, and play cards. Don was an avid quail and pheasant hunter, and he raised and trained English Setters. This hobby quickly became his favorite daily routine. He started placing his bird dogs in field trials where it wasn’t uncommon for them to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Don was mechanically inclined and was an apprentice in a radio and TV shop in Kansas City. Later he attended a Wichita electronics vocational school and became an electronics technician.

Don is survived by his three children, Vicky Ramsey, of Olathe, Kansas, Donald Welch II, of Wichita, Kansas, and Derek Welch, also of Wichita, Kansas; two stepchildren, Estelle Schiefelbein and Adele Schrader; two sisters, Patty Smith, of Baltimore, Maryland, Rita Mahoney, of Topeka, Kansas; a brother, Mike Welch also of Topeka, Kansas; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mickey and Nettie, and two sisters, Mary Ann Conyers, and Teresa Rose Foulk.

He shared his love of country life, the farm where he grew up and returned to as an adult, as well as many memories with his kids, grandchildren, siblings, parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews and nieces. Don was a very kind-hearted person, who loved animals and watched out for his little sisters.

In the last few years he suffered greatly, but was able to overcome those obstacles in his life journey. He died peacefully and will be missed.

Father Robert Wachter will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 20174 at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with the Rosary and Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Private family burial will follow later in the day at the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.