Obituary of Thomas R. Welke

Thomas R. Welke Sr., 55, of Broadalbin passed away Monday, January 12, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam. Thomas was born in Amsterdam on July 11, 1953 the son of Richard Welke Sr. and Gertrude McNamara. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the Edinburgh Bible Chapel. On June 30, 1978 Thomas was united in marriage to Lexie Kadle Welke. They shared 30 years together. Thomas was a member of the National Rifle Association. He had love for classic cars. Thomas was an avid NASCAR fan. His two favorite NASCAR drivers were the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. In addition to his wife and mother, Thomas is survived by his son, Thomas R. Welke Jr. and his wife Maegan of Broadalbin; his daughter, April Jackson and her husband Richard of Broadalbin; one granddaughter, Shelby Welke; three brothers, Walter Welke, Richard Welke, Jr., and David Palmieri all of Amsterdam; five sisters, Linda Mocharie Butch of Broadalbin, Robin Taylor Robert of Broadalbin, Dawn Swanker of Amsterdam, Janet Slawienski Joe of Amsterdam and Jean Harvey Keith of Amsterdam. Additional survivors include his mother in law Myrtle Kadle of Edinburgh, sister in laws Starr Mizerak of Little Falls and Crystal Farrington Claude of Edinburgh and one brother in law, Harrison Kadle, Jr. Carmen of Florida. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Richard Welke, Sr., a brother, William Welke, a sister, Marcy Welke, his father in law, Harrison Kadle, Sr., and a brother in law, Terry Kadle. Thomas was also predeceased by a niece, Donna Gentry. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Jeffords & Stewart Funeral Home, 85 West Main Street, Broadalbin with Reverend Paul Allen officiating. On January 25, following the regular 10:00 a.m. Sunday service, at the Edinburgh Bible Chapel there will be another memorial service for Tom. 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made in Thomas's memory to: St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.