James Vincent Welsh

James Vincent Welsh
August 25, 1926 - July 24, 2011
Williamsburg, Iowa
Visitation: 3 - 7 PM, VFW Service at 7 PM with Prayer Service to Follow July 27, 2011 at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:00 AM July 28, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Williamsburg, Iowa
Interment: July 28, 2011 at St. Michael's Cemetery, Holbrook with Military Rites
Williamsburg- James Vincent Welsh, 84, of Williamsburg, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2011, surrounded by his children, from kidney failure at Marengo Memorial Hospital. He had been ill for several months. Funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM, with burial following at St. Michael's Cemetery in Holbrook. Visitation will be held at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 3-7 PM., with a VFW Service to be at 7:00 PM followed by a prayer service. Jim (Jimmy) was born on August 25, 1926 at the family farm East of Williamsburg, son of Thomas J. And Florence A. (Welsh) Welsh. He attended country school York #6 (rural Williamsburg) through 8th grade and graduated from Cosgrove High School in 1944. At age 17, he entered the Army 9th Air Corps, serving from 1944 to 1946, earning the rank of Corporal. He attended airplane and engine mechanics school at Keesler Field, Mississippi and was stationed in Germany near the end of World War II. Upon his return to Iowa, Jim farmed proudly in Iowa County, east of Williamsburg. He married Kathleen Ann Kessler of Cosgrove on August 4, 1948 and they had nine children. In addition to farming, he held various positions with the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service as well as being a York Township Trustee. Jim retired from farming in 1988 when he and Kathleen (Kay) moved into Williamsburg. He obtained his real estate license and worked for Crane & Associates. He also worked part-time for Kirkwood Community College in Williamsburg. Kathleen passed away in 2000. Jim led an active, diverse life. In addition to work and family, he enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing as well as being a dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, and a spectator of most sports. He was a lifelong Democrat. Jim was active with St. Michael's Catholic Church in Holbrook and later a member of St. Mary's in Williamsburg. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, including a term as Grand Knight. During retirement, he was an active member of the VFW, Iburg Polson Post 8797. He was an avid reader and made friends at the library. He enjoyed spending time with his children and especially grandchildren. Jim had a quick Irish wit, a sharp memory for details, and a quip for most any conversation. Jim is survived by 8 of his 9 children: Laura Engler (Mitchellville), Jan Welsh (Bruce Fairbanks, Cincinnati, OH), Marita Welch (West Des Moines), Joan Welsh-Grabin (Joel Grabin, Oxford), Bob Welsh (Nancy, Williamsburg), Diane Lotz (Bob Lotz, North Liberty), Tom Welsh (Holli, Williamsburg), and Kathy Welsh (Bart Brown, Iowa City)and a daughter-in-law Jeanne Welsh (Williamsburg). He also had 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John J. and sister Mary R. Welsh, wife Kathleen A., son William J., and granddaughter Bond M. Grabin. Memorials may be directed to the Williamsburg Public Library, and Friends of Old St. Michael's. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.