Martin John "Marty" Welschmeyer, of Freeburg, was born on October 28, 1931, at Freeburg, a son of Gerhard and Anna (Pohl) Welschmeyer, and departed this life at 7:15 p.m., on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at his residence. Marty had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 82 years, 10 months, and 5 days.

He was united in marriage on September 26, 1953, at Freeburg, to the former Miss Angela Ann Koerber, and to this union, six children were born. Marty was preceded in death by one son, Kevin Henry Welschmeyer, on July 25, 2007; two grandsons, Jeffery Martin Welschmeyer, on July 21, 1992, and Christopher James Crane, on February 11, 2003; his father, Gerhard, on October 23, 1967; his mother, Anna, on January 6, 1964; four brothers, Anthony, Frank A., John E., and James Welschmeyer; and eight sisters, Cordilla Ellison, Sr. Gerarda (Eva Lena) Welschmeyer SSND, Frances Houston, Josepha Hausotter, Genevieve Lewis, Marie Billet, Bertha Volmert, and Rita Welschmeyer.

Marty was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg. Activities he especially enjoyed were fishing; hunting; gardening; playing, singing, and listening to bluegrass music; and being outdoors since he was a farmer at heart. He could play any stringed instrument with the banjo and fiddle being his favorites. Marty's family and grandchildren were extremely important to him by not only spending time with all them at various family activities, but finding the time to spend with each one of them individually such as taking each one hunting or fishing.

During his working life, he had been employed mostly in factory and assembly line work being employed by the Quaker Window Products Company, Freeburg, and the McGraw-Edison Company, Jefferson City. Marty had also been an over the road trailer truck driver, a heavy equipment operator, and was just a multi-talented individual in numerous other work areas.

Those left to mourn the passing of Marty include: His devoted wife of almost 61 years, Angela, of the home in Freeburg; his children, Barbara (Joe) Maddox, Rolla; Wanda (Otto) Williams, Vienna; Karl (Lori) Welschmeyer, Linn; Kenneth (Barb) Welschmeyer, Freeburg; and Patricia (Dave) Phelps, Freeburg; nineteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren with two more on the way; one sister-in-law, Rita Welschmeyer, Freeburg; nephews; nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Marty will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 7, 2014, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. with the Rev. Nicholas Reid leading, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Monday, September 8, 2014, with all being in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mr. Welschmeyer at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, September 8, 2014, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg, with the Rev. Nicholas Reid as the celebrant. Interment will be in the Holy Family Cemetery, Freeburg, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Memorial contributions are suggested for masses or the donor's choice by the family of Mr. Welschmeyer with envelopes available at the Holy Family Catholic Church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.