LaVerne A. Welte

STERLING – LaVerne A. Welte, 78, of Sterling, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, at Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling.

He was born Sept. 25, 1939, in Rockford, the son of Anthony and Ruth (Hennessy) Welte. He served in the Army from 1961 to 1963. He married Charlene E. Danner on April 4, 1964. She died July 14, 1998. LaVerne had been employed as a purchasing agent and had retired from Sauk Valley Equipment Co. (IFH). He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and was a 4th-Degree Knight of Columbus. LaVerne was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and enjoyed watching the Weather Channel and the History Channel.

Survivors include three daughters, Michele (Mark) Siewert of Milwaukee, Melissa (Keith) Fritz of Stoutland, Missouri, and Elisabeth (Gerald) Hollaway of Sterling; two sons, Charles (Lynn) Welte of Pine River, Minnesota, and Gregg (Kristy) Welte of Beloit, Wisconsin; two brothers, Roger (Denise) Welte of Greer, South Carolina, and Clarence (Kathleen) Welte of Rockford; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He also was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at McDonald Funeral Home, 505 First Ave., Sterling. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling, with the Rev. Bruce Ludeke officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rock River Hospice & Home.