Lowell Jean Welty
April 29, 2020 at 10:46 p.m.
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Lowell was born on March 19, 1929, to Harvey and Iva Grimm Welty on the family farm in Nappanee. His childhood was “all work and no play.” In 1932, his family moved to a farm near Bourbon. When he was in high school, he enjoyed checking his muskrat traps before school along the family creek, then taking them to a local store to sell for spending money. He graduated from Bourbon High School in 1947.
On Sept. 18, 1949, in Etna Green, Lowell married his lovely sweetheart, Mary Lou Johnson. Their union lasted 63 years, until her death on April 30, 2013.
Lowell farmed to support his young family. In 1957, he decided to leave farming to do various jobs, including moving his family to Ossian to work as a ticket agent at TWA Airlines. In 1959, he moved his family to Etna Green and lived there the remainder of his life. He began and built his successful global business, I&M Bulk Equipment, in 1962. After retiring in 1988, Lowell sold his patents to Hensley Fabricating in Tippecanoe. He assisted them in sales for a few years before finally taking retirement seriously.
Lowell was a long-time member of the Church of Christ and Lions Club in Etna Green.
What was important to this great man of strong spirit and unwavering determination? It was his family, land, business and “toys” (any kind of vehicle, including a helicopter). One milestone that Lowell was so grateful to complete was living to be 90 years old. Another was traveling to Switzerland in 2011 with his son, Brett, and visiting family ancestral sites. In his later years, Lowell enjoyed monthly breakfasts with his friends, family visits and outings, caretaking his property and sitting on his cabin swing taking in the peaceful serenity of his woods where he felt closer to his dear wife, God and nature.
Lowell is survived by his seven children: Pam (Jack) Tharp, of Noblesville; Lana (David) Hilker, of Anza, Calif.; Lou Augustine, of Warsaw; Eve (Chris) Scheibe, of Clear Lake, Wash.; Eric Welty, of Pierceton; Brad (Rhonda) Welty, of St. Charles, Mo.; and Brett (Michelle) Welty, of Littleton, Colo. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lowell was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents; and brothers, Leslie, Stanley, Devon, Kenneth, Ross and Harvey.
Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 virus, private family services are being held. The family will have a celebration of Lowell’s life at a later date to be determined after the restrictions are lifted.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is privileged to be entrusted in assisting the family with arrangements.
*****
Memorials to the Etna Green Church of Christ, 206 W. Broadway St., Etna Green, IN 46524.
Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at: www.deatonclemensfh.com.
Lowell was born on March 19, 1929, to Harvey and Iva Grimm Welty on the family farm in Nappanee. His childhood was “all work and no play.” In 1932, his family moved to a farm near Bourbon. When he was in high school, he enjoyed checking his muskrat traps before school along the family creek, then taking them to a local store to sell for spending money. He graduated from Bourbon High School in 1947.
On Sept. 18, 1949, in Etna Green, Lowell married his lovely sweetheart, Mary Lou Johnson. Their union lasted 63 years, until her death on April 30, 2013.
Lowell farmed to support his young family. In 1957, he decided to leave farming to do various jobs, including moving his family to Ossian to work as a ticket agent at TWA Airlines. In 1959, he moved his family to Etna Green and lived there the remainder of his life. He began and built his successful global business, I&M Bulk Equipment, in 1962. After retiring in 1988, Lowell sold his patents to Hensley Fabricating in Tippecanoe. He assisted them in sales for a few years before finally taking retirement seriously.
Lowell was a long-time member of the Church of Christ and Lions Club in Etna Green.
What was important to this great man of strong spirit and unwavering determination? It was his family, land, business and “toys” (any kind of vehicle, including a helicopter). One milestone that Lowell was so grateful to complete was living to be 90 years old. Another was traveling to Switzerland in 2011 with his son, Brett, and visiting family ancestral sites. In his later years, Lowell enjoyed monthly breakfasts with his friends, family visits and outings, caretaking his property and sitting on his cabin swing taking in the peaceful serenity of his woods where he felt closer to his dear wife, God and nature.
Lowell is survived by his seven children: Pam (Jack) Tharp, of Noblesville; Lana (David) Hilker, of Anza, Calif.; Lou Augustine, of Warsaw; Eve (Chris) Scheibe, of Clear Lake, Wash.; Eric Welty, of Pierceton; Brad (Rhonda) Welty, of St. Charles, Mo.; and Brett (Michelle) Welty, of Littleton, Colo. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lowell was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents; and brothers, Leslie, Stanley, Devon, Kenneth, Ross and Harvey.
Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 virus, private family services are being held. The family will have a celebration of Lowell’s life at a later date to be determined after the restrictions are lifted.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is privileged to be entrusted in assisting the family with arrangements.
*****
Memorials to the Etna Green Church of Christ, 206 W. Broadway St., Etna Green, IN 46524.
Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at: www.deatonclemensfh.com.
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