Loa Welker, 84 of 811 W. Spring Street in St.Marys, OH died 2:23 a.m. Thursday, February 3, 2011 at her residence.                          

She was born December 24, 1926 in rural Mercer County Ohio to Homer and Lydia (Good) Brookhart. 

On March 15, 1947, she married Arthur Welker, who passed away on March 13, 2009. 

She is survived by:

• Son, Jim (Sue) Welker of Celina, OH

• Daughter, Becky (Jerry) Steinke of Waynesfield, OH 

• 4 granddaughters  

• 9 great-grandchildren

• Sister, Dorothy  Rice  of Fort Shawnee, OH 

• Sister, Wanda  Ferner  of Portland, IN 

• Sister, Janice Hone  of Mendon, OH 

• Brother, Stanley  Brookhart  of Fort Shawnee, OH

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Carl; and sister, Beulah.  

Loa had worked at Goodyear Rubber Company in her early years.  She retired from Joint Township District Hospital in St.Marys after 18 years of working as a housekeeper. She was a member of Faith Alliance Christian Missionary Church in New Bremen, where she had been active in their Ladies Group.   

After her husband passed away, she, as was his custom and when she was able, sat in the swing on the front porch of their home, exchanging friendly waves with passersby.  She loved flowers, especially geraniums and poinsettias. Her bird feeders were known to attract numerous hummingbirds.   

She loved her family; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her delight, always bringing a big smile to her face when they were around. 

Services are scheduled 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 7, 2011 at the Miller - Long & Folk Funeral Home (High Street Chapel) in St.Marys, with Pastor Thomas Sager, officiating. A luncheon will follow at the fellowship hall of the church in New Bremen. 

Private family burial will take place in the Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys  

Visitation for family and friends will be held 4 - 8 p.m. Sunday, February 6, at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Auglaize Co. Council on Aging in St.Marys.