Paul Arthur Welsh
July 2, 1929 – January 4, 2013

Paul Arthur Welsh, 83 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away on Friday, January 4, 2013 at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

The son of Lesley A. and Mary Anna (Weiss) Welsh, he was born on July 2, 1929 in Lancaster, Missouri. On December 24, 1953 in Kirksville, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Anna Lee (Martin) Crump, a widow with four children, Gary, Mary Lee, Pamela and Penny and to this union 2 children were born, Paula Louise and Mamie Joyce.

Paul is survived by his children, Paula Harris and husband, Phil of Blue Spring, Missouri and Mamie Schort and husband, Kevin of Noblesville, Indiana; 3 step daughters, Mary Lee Dierling of Brashear, Missouri, Pamela West and husband, Eddie of Centralia, Missouri and Penny Homer of Greentop, Missouri; 15 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 1 nephew, Steve Welsh of Anchorage, Alaska; 1 brother-in-law, Ronnie Martin and wife, Roberta of Illinois; cousins; other family members and many good friends.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anna Lee on November 6, 1987; one stepson, Gary Crump and one brother, Emery Harold Welsh and his wife, Virginia.

Paul was raised in the Lancaster area where he attended and graduated from the Lancaster High School in 1947. He worked for the K. I. Miller Hatchery and went to Kansas to work the wheat harvest for several summers. Paul became particularly close to the Bannister family while working the wheat harvest and they seemed like a second family to him.

He enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean conflict where he served in Battery C, 61st Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Calvary Division as a wire reconnaissance chief and radio-telephone operator, receiving a Bronze Star decoration on December 7, 1951.

After serving with the United States Army, Paul returned to Lancaster, Missouri and attended the Northeast Missouri State University at Kirksville, Missouri. Paul was then appointed as a rural mail carrier and this was his life career. Following his retirement with the Postal Service, Paul sold real estate through Heritage House of Kirksville, Missouri and was also an auctioneer.

Paul was a Republican and was always interested in politics although he could not be actively involved because of his job.

Paul was a member of the Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri where he faithfully served as long as his health permitted.
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Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser assisted by Leanna vanZandt, officiating. Special CD selections of "Softly and Tenderly", "Peace In The Valley" and "In The Garden" will be performed. Pianist will be Joni Newland. Pallbearers will be Martin Harris, Christopher Nigh, R. D. Homer, Justin West, Jason West, Kirk Dierling, Kent Dierling, Bryan Crump and Brent Crump. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 7, 2013 between the hours of 7 and 9:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for Lancaster Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri. Military rites will be given by Scotland County VFW Post 4958. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.