Richard Welch Obituary Richard W. "Rick" Welch, 67, of Carthage, passed away at his home at 4:45 A.M. Friday morning, December 30, 2016. Rick was born April 1, 1949, the son of Rufus and Norma Jean (Buell) Welch in Louisiana, Missouri. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1967 and went on to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and also overseas in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Rick was a member of the V.F.W. in Carthage and had served as Past Commander and had also been the Past District Commander. He was also a member of the Carthage Eagle's Club. Rick was employed as a mechanic at the Hancock County Mental Health Center in Carthage. Rick is survived by his companion, Janie Crum, of Carthage; his sister, Mary Lou (Butch) Earl of Quincy; two very special young men: Rylan Worrell and Anthony Smith of Keokuk; his uncle, Pete Stewart of Burnside; two nieces: Adonia (Mark) Vaughn of Keokuk, and Tara Earl of Kansas City, Missouri; and his nephew Shane Earl of Quincy. Other survivors include his extended family: Amber (Brian) Cooper of Keokuk, Iowa; Jeff (Rachel) Payne and family of Mayville, North Dakota; Jamie Payne of Burlington, Iowa; Jana Payne of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Brooke Smith of Keokuk, Iowa; Justin Smith of Plymouth, Illinois; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Myles Grover; and a brother, William Welch. A graveside service with military rites will be held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, January 3, 2016, at the Keokuk National Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 3, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage. Memorials may be directed to VFW Post #5517 in Carthage, Southeastern Renal Dialysis, and Blessing Hospice. Graveside Service Tuesday, January 3, 2016: 2:30 pm at Keokuk National Cemetery Visitation Tuesday, January 3, 2016: 12:00 pm 2:00 pm at Printy Funeral Home, Carthage, Illinois