Wilber Welchans, son of Martin and Mae Welchans, was born on Dec. 18, 1925, in Farragut, Iowa. He entered into eternal rest on Aug. 14, 2018.
Wilber lived in the Farragut and Riverton area all of his life. He graduated from Riverton High School in 1943. In February of his senior year, he joined the service and was honorably discharged in 1946.
During his three years in the Navy, he served as a special weapons technician as well as an airplane mechanic. These mechanic skills helped him as he began his farming career in 1946.
On Aug. 29, 1948, Wilber was united in marriage to Sarah Rosalie Bunn at the United Methodist Church in Farragut.
They moved to their current farm south of Riverton. Wilber was a self-employed farmer and a skilled carpenter. In 1952, he starting building their current home where he lived with his family. During the winter months, Wilber utilized his carpentry skills by building many cabinets and kitchens for local churches and in homes of friends and family.
He also built a motorboat that provided many enjoyable trips to Big Lake for his family and friends.
Wilber and Sarah enjoyed going on cruises and spending the winters camping in Texas and Arizona.
They also enjoyed square dancing and round dancing. Wilber was an avid reader of any newspaper, farm magazine, or World War II book.
Wilber was a lifelong, active member of the Riverton and Locust Grove Methodist Churches, serving as Chairman of the Board.
He served on the Fremont County School Board and was a member of the American Legion, Post 128 in Sidney, Iowa.
For many years, he worked at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo. He was a Masonic Lodge member for 65 years and a member of Eastern Star.
Wilber was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Mae Welchans and brothers, Dale and Raymond Welchans.
Wilber is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sarah Welchans, from Riverton.; aughters, Patricia (Jerry) Regan of Kings Mountain, N.C., and Connie (Steve) Walker of St.Peters, Mo.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral Services were to be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the United Methodist Church in Farragut. Burial was to follow at Locust Grove Cemetery in rural Shenandoah.
The family was to greet friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the services at the church.
Memorials may be given to the Sidney American Legion or St. Croix Hospice, 1851 Madison Ave., Ste. 490, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.