Lonniel "Lonnie" Welch Sr., Fairbury, 85, Fairbury, died at 9:51 pm Saturday, April 22, 2023 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with Pastor Brian King officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury with full military rites accorded by the Fairbury VFW and American Legion posts.

Visitation will be 9:00 to 10:45 am Wednesday also at the memorial home. The family suggests memorials be give to the Charity of the Donor's Choice.

Mr. Welch was born December 20, 1937 in Herrick, IL the son of Solomon and Lucille Bumgarner Welch. He married Jeannine L.M. Pelletier on August 10, 1957 in Fall River, Mass. She preceded him in death on July 26, 1987.

Survivors include his children, Connie Davis, Chenoa, Rochelle Tomilson, El Paso, Denise (Mike) Bailey, Cullom, Lonnie (Cindy) Welch Jr., Pontiac, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, three sisters, Mary Thacker, Bloomington, Katherine (Dick) Carol, Indianapolis, IN and Candace (Leo) Embry, Chenoa.

He is preceded in death by two brothers and one granddaughter.

Mr. Welch served in the US Navy during the Korean War. He was a truck driver for ATA, Forrest for 45 years and owned and operated Lonnie's Horseshoeing. He was a member of the Fairbury American Legion post #54.