BOURBON – Mary Lou Welty, 81, of rural Etna Green, passed away at 10:12 p.m. April 30, 2013, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born Aug. 3, 1931, in Churubusco, to Carlton Forrest and Olive Pittman Johnson. On Sept. 18, 1949, she married Lowell Welty, who survives. A resident of Etna Green most of her life, she graduated from Etna Green High School and was a homemaker and a member of Etna Green Church of Christ. She enjoyed her family and was a volunteer who helped start the hospital auxiliary at Kosciusko Community Hospital. She enjoyed expressing her talent with her paintings, authored two books, was an avid gardener and loved to cook. She will be greatly missed by husband; her seven children: Pamela (and spouse Jack) Tharp, Noblesville; Lana (and spouse Dave) Hilker, California; Lou Augustine, Warsaw; Eve (and spouse Chris) Scheibe, Mt. Vernon, Wash.; Eric (and spouse Lisa) Welty, Pierceton; Brad (and spouse Rhonda) Welty, St. Charles, Miss.; and Brett (and spouse Michelle) Welty, Littleton, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Joanne Parker, Warsaw; and three brothers, Dennis (and spouse Barbara) Johnson and Glenn Johnson, all of Etna Green, and Max Johnson, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Sue Ann. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Etna Green Church of Christ, 206 W. Broadway St., Etna Green, with Pastor Jordan Ickes officiating. Burial will be in Etna Green Cemetery. Calling is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday at the church. Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, 115 S. Main St., Bourbon, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent via deatonclemensfh.com
