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 the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello where public visitation will be held from 4 until 7 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, 2 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 November 13, 1934 at Iowa City, Iowa.   He was the son of Manville and Lenora Scouten, Welch.  Irie graduated from the 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.