Patricia A. Welk

Obituary

Patricia Ann Welk, age 86 of 14210 Wayne Road Chillicothe Illinois with great anticipation transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal home on Saturday, May 25, 2019.
Born May 5, 1933 in Paris Illinois to Hubert and Nola (Kline) Mattox. She married her beloved husband Wilbur Welk on July 18, 1953 in Neosho, MO. Wilbur preceded her (in death) on August 30, 1996.
Part of Pat's elementary education was in one room schools located in Washington and Edelstein, Illinois. She was a graduate of Princeville High School and attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. She was a graduate of Bradley University and received her Master of Education from Illinois State in 1973.
Pat taught in Peoria County as an Elementary Educator and later as a classroom teacher for the Special Education Association of Peoria County. Later in her career she was a Learning Consultant and Intervention Specialist. She officially retired in 1994 but continued working part-time until May 2009. Pat was featured as "Woman on the Go" in the Chillicothe bulletin and received the well deserved honor of "1975-76 Peoria County Teacher of the Year". She believed in the children she taught and her philosophy was that each child was unique and had the ability to be successful. Because of her approach and guidance many of her students were able to return to regular classrooms and keep pace with less challenged students.



Pat was a member of Northwoods Community Church. She served in the Prayer Ministry. Prayer was her passion and she loved people - especially her own family. She knew that God had created each of them as "unique Creations", as "Divine Designs" - each with their own "unique calling" from God. A verse she prayed daily for her family was Jeremiah 29: 11-13.
["For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "]

She believed the mandate from the Lord on her life was Micah 6:8.
[ He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To Act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God}

Do Justly Love Mercy Walk Humbly with my God.
Pat was often at the center of all things involving worshiping her Lord and Savior. She enjoyed leading Bible studies in her home and served for many years as a core leader and servant council member with the Community Bible Study.
Pat loved to travel and found time for trips to visit her family living in Kansas City, MO. She enjoyed visiting friends throughout the country with a particular fondness for Marco Island in her later years. Above all the places she travelled she held a special fondness for both Israel & India - having been on life changing mission trips to both countries. She was looking forward to another trip to Israel when her failing health prevented this from becoming a reality. Pat was also a part of an International Healing Minsistry called Ellel, USA. She was dedicated to their vision of bringing hope and Freedom to all the world's people.
Pat is survived by sons Cary Welk (Terri) - Kansas City, MO, Craig Welk (Beth) - Gladstone, MO; Daughters Christi Thorne (Dennis) - Washburn, IL, Cathi Gibbs (Fred) - Chillicothe, IL, Connie Anderson (Michael) - Metamora, IL, "Little" sister Connie Dudley of Mundelein, IL, 13 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren (at last count).
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to Northwoods Community Church Surge ministry and/or Ellel, USA

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 from 4-7 PM. at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria, followed by a Celebration of Life service beginning at 7 with Pastor Keith Lindgren officiating.

A private family burial will take place at Swanlake Cemetery in Peoria.

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Celebration of Life Visitation

MAY 29. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Northwoods Community Church
10700 N. Allen Road
Peoria, IL

Celebration of Life

MAY 29. 7:00 PM (CDT)

Northwoods Community Church
10700 N. Allen Road
Peoria, IL