Howard
Elmer “Blue” Welker, 67, a school bus driver from Shelby , passed away
Thursday, February 7, 2008 at his home due to natural causes. Visitation
will be
Monday, February 11, from 3:00 - 8: 00 pm and
Tuesday, February 12, from 9:00 am
- 9:00 pm at the Whitted Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be
1:00 pm Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at the Shelby High School
Auditorium. Burial with military honors will follow in the Veterans’ Section
of Mountain View Cemetery. Condolences for the family
may be sent to
www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Mary Welker of Shelby; daughter, Angie (Phil) Stokes of Havre; sons, Howie Welker of Great Falls and Wade Welker of Shelby; sisters, Shirley Klemz of Camby, OR, Patsy Svennungsen of Mead, WA and Linda Scott of Conrad; brother, Del Welker of Cut Bank; aunts, Norma Welker and Betty Welker of Shelby and uncle, Howard Welker of Colorado; 6 grandchildren, John C., Jahna Welker, Kyle Welker, Taylor Stokes, Jase Stokes and Brynn Stokes; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews as well as a great many friends throughout the area. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Blue was born October 17, 1940 at Pawnee, Oklahoma to Ralph & Sylvia (Shaw) Welker and moved to Shelby in 1952 where he later graduated from high school. He served with the Montana National Guard for many years including 2 years of active duty in the Army in Germany .
Blue and Mary Skeslien were married August 14, 1964 at Shelby . They lived in Valier & Dupuyer area for 18 years before moving back to Shelby in 1988. Blue worked as a bus driver for the Shelby School District
He was a member of the Baptist Church , Marias Valley Golf & Country Club, and the American Legion.
He loved Shelby school sports and was a long time supporter. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping, the coffee call at Town Pump and spending time with his grandchildren.
Blue loved life, had a heart of gold, would give you the shirt off his back and was a man who had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Blue Welker Sports Scholarship Fund, c/o Angie Stokes, 25 Saddle Butte Drive, Havre MT, 59501.