Larry Welch

Larry Welch, age 70, of Hillsdale, Kansas passed away on March 4, at his home after a two year battle with merkel cell carcinoma. Memorials may be made in his name to Miami County Cancer Foundation, American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association. Larry was born at the family residence in Hillsdale, Kansas on Dec. 13, 1940 to Merlyn and Berdene Overbeck Welch. He graduated from Paola High School with the class of 1958. After attending Rockhurst College for a year, Larry began working for Hallmark Cards in the Lithography department and attended night school at Metropolitian Jr. College in Kansas City, Mo. He enlisted in the United States Naval Air Resesve in June 1963 and served in the TAR program stationed at Flatley Field, NAS Olathe, KS. from October 1964 until receiving an honorable discharge in October 1967. He very much enjoyed his service time and considered it an honor to serve his country. On Sept. 15, 1962, Larry was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Judy Tiede in Paola Kansas. They made their lifelong home in Hillsdale. Larry and Judy owned and operated the Print Shoppe in Paola for several years before selling their business in 1987 so Larry could work full time for the United States Postal Service at Paola where Larry worked as a rural mail carrier for 27 years retiring in December, 2002. After retiring, Larry enjoyed collecting vintage movies and classic serial movies, cooking, gardening, and making calendars, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was especially proud of the western lobby card calendars and serial poster calendars which he published for the past ten years. He enjoyed the research and the challenge of collecting trivia and the conversations he had from enthusiasts all over the world. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivor include his wife Judy of the home, dau. Lisa and husband Richard Berve of Overland Park, KS., dau. Jennifer and husband Jerry Frain of Round Rock TX., son Kevin and wife Anita Welch of Fargo North Dakota, 4 grand children, Katelyn, Lindsey Berve and Connor, Nathan Frain. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.