VINTON:  Richard "Dick" Welbes, 77, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab of Parkinson Disease.
     Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM, Friday, June 6, 2008 at First Christian Church in Vinton with Rev. Connie Wacht officiating.  Interment will be held at Bear Creek Cemetery north of Vinton with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton. Friends may call at the Phillips Family Center, 605 2nd Ave. in Vinton from 4 to 7 PM today.  A Memorial Fund has been established.
     Dick was born November 19, 1930 at Vinton to Edward and Luceal (Welbes) Sovers.  His mother died when he was four years old and his Grandma Welbes adopted and raised him.  From 1948 to 1951 he served his nation as an Engine Fireman in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.  Dick was a member of Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton.
     On August 17, 1952 he married Joann Crow at the Prairie Creek Church near Vinton. 
     Dick was the founder and owner of Welbes Applicance in Vinton until his retirement in 1995.  He loved hunting with his son, Kent, boating, water skiing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Nothing gave Dick more pleasure than family dinners and family outings.
     He is survived by Joann, his wife of 55 ½ years; his children, Jeanne Montgomery (Alan Garwood) of Vinton and Kent (DeAnn) Welbes of Atkins; his granddaughters, Angela (Kyle) Horak, Holly (Jake Kuboushek) Welbes, Beth (Justin) Hendryx, and Joy Welbes; his great-granddaughters, Allissa Hendryx, Abbye Hendryx, Emilie Horak, and Charlie Kuboushek; two step-great grandchildren, Kaleb and Makenzie Horak; and  four nieces and one nephew.
     In addition to his parents and grandmother Welbes, he was preceded in death by his still born son, Richard Dean Jr.; his sister, Virginia Borrack, and his son-in-law, Stephen Montgomery.