Edward C. Welker, 78, of Milton-Freewater died Thursday, October 30, 1969, at St. Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington.

Mr. Welker was born May 23, 1891 in Hilderbrand, Missouri, the son of George and Marie Catherine (Strueve) Welker. He married Bertha C. Niswonger on December 26, 1919 in Jackson, Missouri. Mr. Welker worked as a salesman at Lamb Fruit Company and Richwine Furniture Store from 1943 to 1964. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I from 1917 to 1919. Mr. Welker was a member of Federated United Church of Christ in Walla Walla, Washington.

Surviving are his wife, Bertha; one son, Ernest "Chuck" (wife, Eleanor "Nickie") Welker of Wenatchee, Washington; one daughter, Mrs. Paul (Alta) Williams of Milton-Freewater; one brother, William (wife, Josephine) Welker of Kurreville, Missouri; one sister, Mrs. Clara Gagnepain of Perryville, Missouri; four half-brothers, Clarence Welker and Fred (wife, Lizzie) Welker, both of Millersville, Missouri, Lyman Welker of Kurreville, Missouri and Leslie Lee (wife, Beatrice) Welker of Wood River, Illinois; five half-sisters, Mrs. Pinkston (Ella) Niswonger of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Mrs. Dessie Newell of Oak Ridge, Missouri, Mrs. George (Cloa) Stevens and Mrs. John Jr. (Jean) Schreiner, both of Jackson, Missouri, and Mrs. Charles William I (Ollie Marie) Hager of Taylorville, Illinois; several grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Amanda Welker; one half-brother, Otis Welker; two half-sisters, Sadie Welker and Connie Green; and one step-brother, Charles Chester Hunter I.

Funeral services were held Monday, November 3, 1969, at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home. Rev. Delbert McAmis and James Dennis officiated, with burial following in Milton-Freewater IOOF Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Frank Town, Merrill Blades, Lee Mulliken, Buck Williams, Eugene Sams and John Cox.