Jesse Lee Welty, 82, of Granite City, Illinois, born May 26, 1929, went to be with the Lord at 8:20 p.m. March 8, 2012 at St. Louis University Hospital.



Jesse served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952. He married Lenore Mae McBroom on May 26, 1950 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. They were married 61 years and 9 months. He retired from Nestle''s Company as a maintenance mechanic after 25 years.



Jesse attended Grace Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, trustee and usher. Sharing the love of Christ and helping people to come to know Jesus as their personal savior was the focus of his life. His family was his greatest treasure on earth. He delighted in his 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, and looked forward to 2 more on the way.



Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Jess H. and Bernice Welty; sisters, Wilma McEntyre and Ora Faye Welty; brother, Howard Welty; and one sister and brother who died in infancy and were not named.



He is survived by his wife, Lenore; two sons, Richard Welty of Crown Point, Indiana and Larry (Anne) Welty of Florissant, Missouri; 4 daughters, Frances (Mike) Huffaker of Aurora, Colorado, Vickie (Ron) Ferry of Granite City, Illinois, Susan (Bob) Vincenzes of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Linda (Julian) Drummond of Monument, Colorado; 2 granddaughters, Veronica (Christ) Chapman of Effingham, Illinois and Shawn (Scott) Peck of Clarksville, Tennessee; 9 grandsons Michael Huffaker, Jr. of Aurora, Colorado, William (Whitney) Huffaker of Aurora, Colorado, Jonathan (Ann-Marie) Ferry of Granite City, Illinois, Greggory (Monique) Ferry of San Diego, California, Daniel Welty of Overland Park, Kansas, Mark Welty of Florissant, Missouri, Nigel and Derek Drummond of Monument, Colorado, Jacob Vincenzes of Cheyenne, Wyoming; 8 great grandchildren, Triston and Alaura Peck, Hannah and Cailee Chapman, Kaitlyn, Colin and Gracie Ferry and Parker Hilden; sisters, Shirley (Ray) Ashton and Melba Litz; and brother, Lloyd (Glenda) Welty.



In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace Baptist Church Building Fund, 2600 Edwards Street, Granite City, Illinois 62040 and will be accepted at Herr Funeral Home 501 West Main Street, Collinsville, Illinois.



Visitation: Friends may call from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2012 and 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Grace Baptist Church, Granite City, Illinois.



Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Grace Baptist Church, Granite City, Illinois, with Rev. John Oswald and Rev. John Gamblin officiating. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.