Claude Wilbur Welch, 86

Claude Wilbur Welch, 86, of Rigby, died at his home Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, from complications following a stroke.

Claude was born April 4, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the only child of Guy Wilbur Welch and Anna Irene Stephens Welch. He attended schools in Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Utah, and graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah. He attended one year at the University of Utah. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the North and South Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. He also served in the Korean Conflict and in Vietnam. He retired from the Navy in 1967 as Base Commander in Bayview.

He married Vera Steed June 10, 1943, in San Diego, Calif. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah, LDS Temple.

As an active member of the LDS Church he served as Stake President of the Coeur d'Alene Stake, on the High Council in two stakes, in two bishoprics and served as a Branch President.

He was a member of the Military Officers Association. He served as a County Commissioner in Kootenai County.

He enjoyed genealogy, gardening working in the yard and helping Holly feed cows.

He is survived by two daughters, Claudia Rich of Redmond, Wash., and Holly (Scott) Hancock of Rigby; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a son-in-law, Norman W. Rich.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, in the Rigby South Stake Center (Located on the corner of 100 North and 3800 East) with Bishop Kevin Ringel officiating. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby and on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Stake Center. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery with military rites performed by the Idaho Honor Guard and the Jefferson Veterans Team.

The family extends their gratitude to the many friends and neighbors for their kindness and love.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.