Donald E. Welge of Chester

Donald E. Welge, 84, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 4:52 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born to the late William H. and Rudelle F. (nee Fritze) Welge on July 11, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Don married Mary Alice Childers on Aug. 4, 1962 at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester; she survives.

Don was the president of Gilster Mary-Lee Corp. in Chester, and was with the company for more than 60 years.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Chester, Steeleville and Perryville and was also a director for the Buena Vista National Bank.

Don was passionate in supporting the Boy Scouts for more than 40 years and had been council president. He was an adviser for the School of Business at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Don was also an active Louisiana State University Alumni with the School of Agriculture.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Welge, of Chester; two sons, Robert (Paige) Welge and Thomas (Tracy) Welge, both of Chester; one brother, Mike (Betty) Welge, of Chester; a sister-in-law, Julia Saak of Chester; four grandchildren, Austin, Lauren, Jackson and William Welge; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bruce Welge; and one brother-in-law, Wib Saak.

A memorial service in Don's memory will be held at a later date at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester.

A private graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester.

Memorial contributions can be made in Don's memory to St. John Lutheran Church; memorials are being accepted at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Chester.

To view this obituary and sign the register book visit www.wpfh.net.