Gary Welton

Gary Welton, 74, of rural Garwin, died Saturday, May 8th, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. His death came peacefully at 5:19 p.m. with his loving family gathered at his side. Gary died as a result of the injuries received when his bulldozer malfunctioned. He died doing what he loved to do. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown with Pastor Bobby Shomo and Pastor Greg Boyle of the Grace Community Church in Toledo co-officiating. Full military honors will be presented by the VFW Harry C. Harter Post #839, Marshalltown. He will be laid to rest in the Dobson Cemetery near Garwin at a later date. Friends may call at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-8:00 p.m. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph 641-844-1234. Born Gary Cooper Welton on July 6th, 1935, at the family home near Garwin in Carlton Township, Tama County, Iowa, he was one of three boys born to June and Velma (Cooper) Welton. He went to rural country schools and graduated from the Montour High School in 1953. Gary served our country honorably in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. On May 3rd, 1958, at the Iowa River Church of the Brethren, he was united in marriage to Joann Reece. They made their home in rural Montour until moving to Laguna Niguel, California in 1986. They returned to their home they built near Garwin in August of 2001. Mr. Welton farmed and was the owner and operator of Welton Construction, Inc. Gary was a member of the Grace Community Church in Toledo and served as a deacon, the Tama County Mens Chorus and the Iowa LICA (Land Improvement Contractors Association). He enjoyed gospel singing and bluegrass music, his grandchildren and family, his bulldozer and working dawn to dusk. His sudden passing leaves a hole in many hearts. Left to cherish his memory are Joann, his loving wife of 52 years, son Tim (Madaleine) Welton and their children Lauren and Samuel of Marshalltown, daughter Carrie Anne Welton of rural Garwin and her son Justin, brothers Gaylyn (Janis) and Randy (Judy) all of rural Garwin, as well as nieces, nephews, his mother-in-law Helen Reece Rieder of the Villa del Sol and many friends. In death, he was rejoined with his parents and father-in-law, Floyd Reece.