CE Welch

Clarence "CE" Welch, Jr., 70, of Springfield, died at 2:04 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on August 10, 1940 in Quincy, the son of Clarence E. and Juanita Schroder Welch. He married Joleen Fox on May 30, 1970 in Springfield.

CE graduated from Springfield High School and served on its Class of 1958 Reunion Committee for 52 years. He earned his Bachelor's of Science in Education from SIU Carbondale and his Master's from the U of I Springfield. He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1966-1967. He formerly taught at Grant Middle School and retired from Southeast High School in 1998. 

CE was a member of Phi Delta Tau Fraternity and very active in Springfield and IL Education Assoc. He was also past president of the IL High School and College Driver Ed Assoc., the American Driver & Traffic Safety Ed Assoc. and Phi Delta Kappa. CE was a member and Sunday School teacher at Central Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Joleen of Springfield; son, Chad Allyn Welch of San Diego; daughter, Kitty Joy and her husband, Frank Springhart of San Antonio, TX; aunt, Helen Welch and many cousins.

Family will receive friends from 3:30-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010 at Central Baptist Church, 504 S. 4th St., Springfield. Following visitation, cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Reg Mills officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Central Baptist Church, 504 S. 4th St., Springfield, IL 62703 or American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Dr., Ste. 403, Decatur, IL 62526.

The family of CE Welch, Jr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.