Freeman Henry Welch

Freeman Henry Welch was born in Spring Valley, Aug. 1, 1932, to Marshall and Ella (Herrick) Welch. He was raised on the family farm near Chatfield and graduated from Chatfield High School in 1950. He enlisted in the Air Force, serving in aircraft maintenance in Greenland during the Korean War. After his discharge he attended college in Fullerton, Calif.

He married Charlene Sealey on April 11, 1955, and they returned to Minnesota where he became one of the first hired at IBM, Rochester facility. They raised their family at their rural home near Chatfield. He later became employed at Rochester Silo, did aerial photography, owned his own business (Meadowbrook Farms) selling and installing dairy equipment, was employed at Rochester Aviation and retired from the postal service, having been a rural carrier with the Elgin office for 17 years. Freeman was a pilot, photographer, and an inventor.

His wife, Charlene passed away April 20, 1990. He married Janice Cheney Snyder on March 28, 1992.

He interest included restoring vintage aircraft, autos and motorcycles. He and Janice enjoyed traveling and attending plays, and appreciated classical music (Beethoven). His favorite event was Father's Day with his backyard full of his "little people." He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church, Chatfield, a member of the EAA Chapter 100 and the Spring Valley Historical Society.

Survivors include his wife, Janice of Stewartville; three sons, Vince (Susan) of Plainview, Paul (Tracey) of Stewartville and Gary (Marianna Johnson) of Rochester; three daughters, Cheryl Learmont (Michael) of Adams, Cindy Malone (William) of Bailey, Colo., and Catherine Thorson (Thor) of Wykoff; and one step-son, Donald Snyder (Linda) of Idleyd, Ore.; two brothers, Roderick (Marjorie) of Chatfield and Martin (Luanne) of Winterville, N.C.; 13 grandchildren, Tessa, Robbie, Robert, Jonathan, Julia, Timothy, Zachary, Emily, Adam, Carol, Stephen, Alexander and Ella; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sisters and his first wife, Charlene.

Freeman died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at his home in Stewartville.

Funeral will be held today, April 16, at 1 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Chatfield, with Pastor Randy Charlton officiating. Burial will be in the Orion Cemetery following the services. Visitation was held Sunday, April 15, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield, and will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Online condolences may be given at www.rileyfuneralhomes.com

Riley Funeral Home of Chatfield is handling the arrangements. (507) 867-4310