David Francis Welsh

September 13, 1949 - June 30, 2016

David Francis Welsh, 66, of Winchester, passed away Thursday afternoon, June 30th, 2016, at Illini Hospital in Pittsfield. He was born, September 13, 1949, in Jacksonville, the son of Francis William and Lucy Alice Badman Welsh. He married Laurel Myers, January 25, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada. David graduated from Routt Catholic High School and attended “Rice Patty U”. He was drafted by the United States Army to serve his country from June 1969 to December 1970. Upon returning, he started his lifelong career in the grocery store business. He was a Grocery Store Manager for Harmon Food of Jacksonville for over 47 years before he retired in 2015. He was a member of the Elks of Jacksonville, the Knights of Columbus of Jacksonville, and the American Legion of Winchester. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan as well as a Jeff Gordon Nascar fan. Surviving is his wife, Laurie of Winchester; mother, Lucy Welsh of Winchester; children, Brent Welsh of Iowa City, Iowa and Jennifer Lindsey of Eugene, Oregon; stepchildren, Eric (Sumer) Myers of Quincy, Illinois and Stacey Roe of Bushnell, Illinois; 8 grandchildren, Lane Welsh, Morgan Welsh, Evan Welsh, Alexis Myers, Lilly Myers, Aubrey Bliss, Ayden Bliss, and Brylynn Blair; 5 siblings, Nancy (Jerry) Stocker, Dan (Mary) Welsh, Susan (David) Cowhick, Peggy Sanders, and Karen (Lester) Turner all of Winchester; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Welsh, brother, Dennis James Welsh, and brother-in-law, Bob Sanders Jr. David was a proud, devoted husband to Laurie, a loving father, and his grandchildren had a special place in his heart. He found delight in watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Nascar Races. He loved to be outside, especially spending time with Laurie in their backyard oasis. Recently, he developed a satisfaction of participating in cardiac rehabilitation in Jacksonville. A funeral service will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6th at Daws Family Funeral Home in Winchester. Burial will be in St. Mark’s Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2:00 p.m. and family will receive friends from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 5th at Daws Family Funeral Home in Winchester. A prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to American Heart Association or Winchester American Legion.