John Welling

Funeral Services for John Welling of Crawford, Nebraska will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the First Congregational Church in Chadron with Dr. Russ Seger officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Crawford City Cemetery. John passed away on September 16, 2014 at the Ponderosa Villa in Crawford. He was 93. John Hubert Welling was born on March 31, 1921 to Arnold Daniel and Leatha Elva (Snyder) Welling in Crawford, Nebraska. He attended grade school at Chadron, Nebraska and High School at Whitney, Nebraska, graduating with the Class of 1939. He was attending Chadron State College when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. He was commissioned as a Naval Aviator and served overseas as a Fighter Pilot with the Marine Air Corps during World War II. He flew the F4U Corsair in combat and saw action in the Solomon Islands, the Philippines and Okinawa and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with a Silver Star, along with the appropriate Theatre Medals. While still in the Service and intending to follow a career in the Marine Corps, he was married to Doris Lucile (Bee) Errebo of Denmark, Kansas on November 22, 1945. After his marriage, he changed his mind about a career in the Marine Corps and decided to try making a living as a Civilian. He was separated from service on July 9, 1946 and spent most of his working life as a farmer and rancher. Five children were born to this marriage, Leatha Kay, Teresa Camille, John Hubert Jr., Rebecca Lucile and Leigh Ann. John and Bee were divorced in October 1965, re-married in 1966, and divorced a second time in 1970. Between 1948 and 2002, John owned and operated various ranches in Southeast Montana, Western South Dakota, and Northwest Nebraska. In addition to the ranches, he also developed the RV and Mobile Home Park just west of Chadron along with the Lazy W Mobile Home Park in Alliance, Nebraska. Back in the Sixties, he called square dances for a few years and helped establish Clubs in Crawford and Chadron, Nebraska and Ekalaka, Montana. At various times throughout the past, he was a member of different Lodges and Clubs, including the Masonic Blue Lodge in Ekalaka, Montana, the Masonic Consistory in Alliance, Nebraska, attaining the 32nd degree, the VFW in Chadron and Crawford, Nebraska, the American Legion in Chadron, Nebraska, the Lions Club in Ekalaka, Montana, and the Elks Club in Chadron, Nebraska. He developed a hearing problem, stemming from WWII that made it nearly impossible to communicate normally, particularly in a group. In 1975, John met Winona Jean (Nielson) Nixon. Their friendship grew through the years into a solid loving commitment. After his retirement in 2002, they divided their time between Crawford, Nebraska and Fort Meyers, Florida, finally committing to full time residence in Crawford, Nebraska in 2013. They were married on May 16, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wilda (Welling) Haynes. His survivors include his wife, Winona of Crawford and his five children, Leatha, Teresa, John, Rebecca, and Leigh Ann. A memorial has been established for the Crawford Rescue Unit. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337. Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.

Service:

Saturday, September 20th,10:00 am

First Congregational Church, Chadron, NE