Marjorie “Marge” Lou (Grayless) Welch of Bolivar, MO, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on April 1, 2025, at the age of 98.  She was born in Savanna, IL, on September 14, 1926, to Howard and Myrtle (Watson) Grayless.  Marjorie had two older brother’s, Dick and Fay and one younger sister, Lavonne.  She grew up in Savanna and graduated from Savanna High School in 1944.

          After high school, Marjorie enrolled in the Cadet Nurse Corps and studied to be a nurse but did not finish due to the end of WWII.  She married Merle Welch on November 10, 1946.  They enjoyed 53 years of marriage together until Merle’s death in 1999.  The couple made their home in Savanna, raising three children: Connie, Richard, and Thomas.  Marjorie was a stay-at-home mom during those early years. 

She and Merle moved to Independence, MO, in June of 1961.  They were members of the East Alton RLDS Church, for 30 years.  They served in the church faithfully and followed Jesus by example, making lifelong friends.

In 1965, Marjorie began working at Western Electric in Lee’s Summit, MO, and worked there until her retirement.  Merle and Marge retired to Shell Knob, MO, in 1991, where they enjoyed living life on Table Rock Lake and the Branson/ Springfield area.  After her husband’s death, Marge continued to live at the lake for 16 years and became active in the Shell Knob SOLOS group (Society of Lively Oldsters).  They attended activities at the Senior Center together, attended Branson shows, and traveled to surrounding towns for lunch.  They met every Friday for breakfast.  Marge made many new friends, and her involvement kept her busy and engaged.

In 2015, Marge moved to Bolivar, MO, to be near her granddaughter, Wren, and live in Butterfield Residential Care Center.  She enjoyed activities in her new home and was able to attend some of her great grandchildren’s events.  She always looked forward to bus trips to shows in Branson and day trips to see fall foliage in the surrounding area.  In August 2023, she transferred to Parkview Healthcare Facility, as her Parkinson’s disease became disabling.

Marjorie is best known for her gift of hospitality, whether it was hosting missionaries, youth groups, college friends of daughter Connie, Christmas and fall parties, neighborhood potlucks, or just playing cards; she could whip up snacks or a meal in a moment’s notice.  She loved to entertain, and her home was always decorated for every season.  She enjoyed cooking and baking.  One of her favorite pastimes was flipping through magazines and cutting out new recipes.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Myrtle Grayless; her beloved husband Merle; brothers: Dick and Fay; sister Lavonne Morello; sister in-laws: Gini and Marilyn Grayless; and brother in-law James Morello.

She is survived by her children: Connie (Bruce) Dawson, Richard (Kelly) Welch, and Thomas (Melissa) Welch; grandchildren: Stacey (Jon) Dennis, Ricci Welch, Wren (Ellis) Hall, Kari (Barry) Aho, Madison (Sean) Robertson; six great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

According to Marge’s wishes her body will be cremated.  A private family inurnment will be held at the Springfield National Cemetery.  Memorials can be made to CMH Hospice, or Parkview Healthcare.  Online condolences may be made to: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.

The family would like to thank the Parkview Healthcare Facilities and CMH Home Healthcare Services for their loving care and compassion provided to Marjorie during her last days of life on this earth.