Lila Welch

Lila Mae Welch, lifelong resident of Ponca City, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the Ponca City Medical Center. She was 84 years of age.

Lila was born July 14, 1927 in rural Ponca City, the daughter of John Leonard Stalman and Anna Francis May Stalman. She was a 1944 graduate of St. Marys Catholic School of Ponca City, afterwards attending Business College. She was married to Joseph N. Welch on March 18, 1949 in Ponca City. Lila was employed several years as an office administrator with Conoco.

She was a lifelong member of St. Marys Catholic Church where she was active in the womens guild. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and was a Past President of the Chikaskia Square Dance Club. Her enjoyments were her family and friends, dancing, playing pitch, gardening, cooking and traveling. Lila had a special love for the 4th of July gatherings with family, as she was well known for her homemade ice cream.

She is survived by her husband, Joe of the home five children, Joe L. Welch and wife, Monica, of Jenks, Oklahoma, Beverly Phillips and husband, Gary, of Ponca City, Robert N. Welch and wife, Cindy, of Houston, Texas, Patricia A. Welch of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and William L. Welch of Ponca City 10 grandchildren, Christina Whiles, Kellina Krebs, Kimberly Lewczak, Joseph Welch, Robert Welch, Eric Welch, Jennifer Welch, Geoffrey Welch, Alicia Welch and William Welch and 7 greatgrandchildren, Alexis Whiles, Jory Sample, Ella Welch, Lily Welch, Kaylie Welch, Christopher Welch and Hunter Krebs.

A Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Grace Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 at St. Marys Catholic Church with Father Kevin Ratterman serving as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Robert Welch, Eric Welch, Geoffrey Welch, Joseph Welch, William Welch, Jay Welch and Michael Krebs.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Marys Catholic Church, 707 East Ponca Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or to the Ponca City Humane Society, 900 West Prospect, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.