Irie Welch Nov. 13, 1934 – July 18, 2020

      Irie Welch, age 85, died Saturday, July 18, 2020 at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. Private family services will be held Thursday morning, July 23, 2020 at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello where public visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Wednesday. Larry Lamont will officiate at the services. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, with Military Honors. Masks must be worn and fitted properly over the nose and mouth at all times to enter the funeral home. Social distancing needs to be practiced as well.

      Surviving is his sister, Evalena Lang, his niece Teresa (Steve) Morrissey, two nephews, John (Laura) Lang and Daniel Lang, 12 great-nieces and nephews, Heather (Casey), Brandi (Matt), Nikole, Gregory, Melanie Rachel, Zachary, Tanner, Michael, Rebecca, Eric and Bryce and 14 great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother-in-law, Robert Lang.

      Irie Lenn Welch was born Nov. 13, 1934 at Iowa City, Iowa. He was the son of Manville and Lenora Scouten, Welch. Irie graduated from Onslow High School in 1954. He then served in the United States Army. Irie operated a bulk fuel route in the Monticello area and also helped his dad farm. He worked as a heavy equipment operator all over Iowa and other states helping to build a good portion of Interstate 80. In later years he worked as a welder in the area and worked with Billy Cooper repairing farm equipment and did custom round bailing as well.
Irie loved to go fishing and hunting as well as travel. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. Even though he never had children of his own, he was a father figure to every child he ever knew.