Hubert Welton

Ava, Missouri

Hubert Otis Welton, 97 years, 1 month, 17 days old, passed away on June 24, 2018 at his home with his family and caregivers by his side.

Hubert was born May 7, 1921 in Sweden, MO to Otis and Melissa (Dye) Welton. Hubert was the oldest of six children: Berchie, Reba, Leora, Zetta Jo, and Dorlene.

On March 30, 1946, Hubert and Erma Lee Gardner were united in marriage. After living in California for awhile they returned to Ava and shortly after, Hubert started a road construction company that took them traveling many miles with their trailer house in tow. Lots of meals were eaten on creek beds as Hubert worked from sun-up to sun-down hauling gravel to job sites. When their firstborn was of school age, Erma stayed home and then began the task running the farm.

Hubert was an outgoing person, a very early riser, and thought a day was wasted if not working all day! After selling his business, Hubert enjoyed working on the farm, caring for his horses, golfing, sale barn auctions, visiting with friends at McDonalds, and attending grandchildren's events. Throughout his life, Hubert also enjoyed deer and elk hunting, bowling, car races, horse shows, watching westerns, boating, and operating all kinds of big machinery. Hubert served in the U.S. Navy and was one of the first members of the Ava Masonic Lodge. He was a Christian and a member of the Ava General Baptist Church. He also was a member of the Missouri Fox Trotter's Association.

Hubert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Erma Lee, a brother, Berchie, one sister, Reba, two children, Joe Dean Welton and Bonnie Bogart, and one grandson, Tony Welton.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Huba Ann & Larry Ray, Gill & Missy Welton, and Dwayne & Margaret Welton, grandchildren, Matt Ray, Natalie Cook, Emily Luna, Nicole Painter, Taylor Ray, Chelsey Welton, Alex Welton, Gill Welton II, Stuart Welton, Mardianne Howell, April Howell, Joelee Godfrey, Joey Bogart, John Bogart, Karolee Jewert, Matt Oliver and Meaghan Dewey, great grandchildren, Eli, Emma, Emry Lee, Charlie, Craig, Casandra, Rylee, Kira, Chance, Heather, Cheyenne, Tanea, Nick, Chandis, Aaron, Kortney, Matthew, Kaitlin, Mackinzie, MacKayla, and Parker, six great great grandchildren, three sisters, Zetta Jo Brake, Leora Nall, and Dorlene House, many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Hubert's family was his pride and joy! Grannie and PaPa's home was a place of security, comfort, fun, and happiness!

Funeral services for Hubert will be Wed., June 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial following in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday prior to service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor James Hathcock. Memorials may be made to the Ava General Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 116, Ava, MO 65608.