Mary Geraldine "Geri" Welsh, 83 year old Vinita resident, died Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Craig General Hospital. She was born April 30, 1929 in St. Marys, Kansas to Charles and Nettie I. (Marker) Ellis. Geri was married to Lt. Col. Robert John Welsh, he preceded her in death on August 26, 2006. They lived in Wichita, where she worked as a civilian secretary at McConnell Air Force Base. After her husband retired from the Air Force they relocated to Grand Lake in 1972. Geri went back to school and got her Masters Degree in Education from Northeastern State in Tahlequah. She taught kindergarten at the Spavinaw Elementary School for 10 years. Geri moved from Disney to Vinita about 2 years ago. She was a member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Vinita. Geri enjoyed having all the family go to surrounding lakes when they lived in Wichita, later they started coming to Grand Lake and made their home there in 1972. She always enjoyed getting together with their military friends and families. She also loved to travel, entertaining the grandkids, reading and gardening. The family includes: her children, Patsy Baldwin of Wichita, KS, Margie Edwards of Wichita, KS, Jill Carlson and husband Dick of Aurora, CO, Susan Conley and husband Jim of Hickory, NC, Jack Funston and wife Darlene of Haysville, KS, Jenny McGregor and husband Don of Molla, OR, Cammie Funston and husband Ned of Wichita, Robert Welsh and wife Marjorie of Vinita; sister Charlene Pape and husband Warner of Hiawatha, KS; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, a brother, Norman Ellis, and two grandchildren. The Family will receive friends Thursday evening, September 13, 2012 at 6-7 p.m. at the Luginbuel Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Vinita, with Rev. Michael Cashen officiating. The committal service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita, Kansas. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.
Visitation Details
Thursday, September 13th, 2012 6:00pm - 7:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita
Service Details
Friday, September 14th, 2012 11:00am, Holy Ghost Catholic Church
Interment Details
White Chapel Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum