Shirley Welch's Obituary
Shirley Mae Welch, a former Canton resident, passed away at 10:35 AM Wednesday October 5, 2010 at Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 96.?á She leaves wonderful memories with her surviving family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.?á Shirley was born August 24, 1914 in Hampton Bluff, Rock Island, Illinois. Her father was Louis ?Ç£Pop?Ç¥ Frederick Schroeder born in Rock Island Illinois on February 11, 1881. Her mother was Jane ?Ç£Jennie?Ç¥ Aston born in Cuba, Illinois on November 6,1890. Wilbur ?Ç£Bill?Ç¥ Aston Welch, her only sibling, was born on August 13, 1912 in Canton, Illinois and predeceased her on May 5, 1995 in Bouberville, Kentucky. She married Dana George Welch on July 22, 1933 in Quincy, Illinois. Dana was born in Smithfield, Illinois on February 22. 1908. Shirley was a devoted and loving wife to Dana for almost 50 years until his death on September 11, 1982 in Fort Myers, Florida. She was gentle, kind, generous, affectionate, and caring to her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. She is survived by two sons and their families: John Dana Welch, M.D. of Sarasota, Florida, his wife Myrna Loring, and their children, Timothy Lance Welch and Christina ?Ç£Cina?Ç¥ Dawn Welch; and Franklin Tod Welch, M.D. of Green Valley, Arizona, his wife Betty Spires, and their children, Zachary Tod Welch and Kathryn Jane Welch. Shirley attended Central School for the first 5 grades, Wright School for the 6th grade, Canton Junior High School for the 7th and 8th grades and was the last living member of the Canton High School class of 1932. She was a member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce and president of the PTA. As a child she was baptized at the Canton Wesley United Methodist Church and later was a member of the Wofalo ladies group. Shirley was a member of the Methodist church for over 50 years. She was a member of the ?Ç£Merry Wives of Pinocle?Ç¥ Club in Canton. She and Dana built and operated several businesses. Shirley ran the businesses and Dana worked at the International Harvester in Canton.?á In the fall of 1950, the Dairy Queen in Havana, Illinois was opened.?á Her next two businesses were Dog?Çÿn?ÇÖSuds Drive-Ins, one in Galesburg, Illinois and one in Canton. which opened in the early 1950s.?á For a short time she ran these three businesses simultaneously. Her employees admired, respected, and appreciated her honesty, integrity, loyalty, and hard work during their working experiences. She started many young people on the road to adult life with their first job. The last business to be sold was the Canton Dog?Çÿn?ÇÖSuds in 1965, and she and Dana moved to Florida in 1966.?á In Fort Myers she worked as a tax consultant for H&R Block and later established her own tax preparation business. She continued doing taxes for some customers until age 86. On December 27, 1987 Shirley married Gerald ?Ç£Gerry?Ç¥ Paul Dawson in Fort Myers. Mr. Dawson was born in Canton, Illinois, eventually settling in Texas with his first wife, Mildred Ring, where they resided for many years. Shirley?ÇÖs surviving step children are: Connie and husband Bob Griffin, Jim and wife Karen Dawson, and Henry and wife Annie Dawson. Gerry has 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Shirley and Gerry enjoyed many years of travel and companionship. Graveside service will be held at?á 2 PM Sunday October 10, 2010 at the Baughman Cemetery in Smithfield, Illinois. The Murphy-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 120 N. Ave. A, Canton, IL 61520. Online condolences can be made at www.fortmyersmemorial.com
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