CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — Dorothy Jean “D.J.” Welch, 77, died Jan. 11 at her home in Chesterfield, Mo. Born Jan. 8, 1936, in Winfield, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Esther (McCormick) Detmer. On Aug. 18, 1956, she married James Curtis Welch in Washington, D.C. She spent much time and effort in supporting Little Wishes Foundation of the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and Loaves and Fishes (Food Pantry).
Survivors include her husband, James Curtis Welch of the home; one daughter, Kimberly Vahle and her husband John of St. Charles, Mo.; two brothers, Lawrence Detmer of Evanston, Ill. and Dr. Don Detmer and his wife Mary Helen of Charlotteville, Va.; two grandchildren, Curtis Anthony Vahle and his wife Julie and Kimberly Nicole Vahle and her fiancé Sam Surgener; and one great-grandson, Benjamin Vahle.
A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at O’Sullivan Muckle Mortuary in Chesterfield, Mo. A graveside service will be held at noon on Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may visit from 10:30-11:30 a.m., followed by a short prayer service, on Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Little Wishes or Loaves and Fishes, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by    
Bryant Funeral Home*         
1425 Patton Road       
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 16, 2013