LeRoy J. Welke, 90, died May 23, 2016, at Wisconsin Veterans Home, Union Grove. He was born in Burlington on Jan. 9, 1926, to the late Edward and Johanna (Rudolph) Welke.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday and was called to active service, in WWII, six weeks before his graduation ceremony. He completed Radio Electronics and Radar School and served on a B29 Bomber as a radar technician/bombardier for high altitude bombing missions.
He returned to Burlington after the war and played semi-professional football part time for the Delavan Red Devils.
On June 18, 1949, he married Mildred Earle at Cross Lutheran Church, Burlington. Following marriage they made their home in Burlington where they raised their family. LeRoy was employed by Wisconsin Electric Power, now We Energies, as a foreman for over 40 years.
He was a very loving and giving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was very active in his community and church. His distinguished service to the Burlington community and Cross Lutheran Church earned him the Lamb Award. In 2012 he was an inductee to the Burlington High School Wall of Inspiration. He was a member of American Legion Post 79 and Burlington Masonic Lodge #28. He served 16 years on the Burlington Area School Board including two years as President. He was Cub Master for Cub Pack 135 and Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 73. He was a leader with the YMCA Indian Guides program and also served as Associate Guardian for Jobs Daughters. He even found time to spend a few years coaching Burlington Little League. He served on the Board of Cross Lutheran Church and taught high school Sunday school.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years; sons, Dale (Monica), Burlington, Tom (Denise), Whispering Pines, N.C., Scott (Colleen), Arlington Heights, Ill.; daughter, Sue (Wally) Simons, Kenosha; granddaughters, Kristine, Kristen, Bethany, Kelsey and Meagan (Harry).
He was further preceded in death by his brothers, Charles, Edward, Robert, Albert, and sister, Dorothy Ehlen.
A Memorial service is Friday, May 27, at 11 a.m., at Cross Lutheran Church, 126 Chapel Terrace, with burial to follow in Burlington Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends is Thursday, May 26, from 4-7 p.m., at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 Browns Lake Drive, and again on Friday, at church from 10-10:45 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or Lutherdale Bible Camp.
The family wishes to thank doctors and nurses of Aurora Burlington hospital and Wisconsin Veteran’s Home Union Grove – Boland Hall 3 West for their kind and loving care.
Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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