John Welch Jr.

John Welch Jr. of Springdale, Ark., passed away on Oct. 23, 2014, at the age of 89. He was born on Sept. 20, 1925, to John and Myrtle Welch in Tarkio, Mo. John was raised in Tarkio and attended public schools and Tarkio College while there. John served in the U.S. Navy as a "Corpsman" during WWII and the Korean War. Following military service, he worked for General Motors as a production supervisor in their Kansas City, Mo., plant. John found his true calling in education. He graduated from Tarkio College with a B.S. in biology. He received both a master's and advanced administrative certificate from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. John taught science and coached in Pacific Junction, Iowa, and Nebraska City, Neb. He served as junior high principal in Nebraska City for four years before accepting a similar position with the Hastings, Neb., Public Schools. He retired in 1987 after serving in education for 33 years. He was a truly dedicated educator, who cared deeply for his students. John married Barbara Phinney in Springfield, Mo., on June 7, 1962. John and Barb had many wonderful retirement years in Bella Vista, Ark. They enjoyed 41 years of marriage prior to Barb's death in 2004. John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his parents, John and Myrtle Welch; and a sister, Marjorie Maygar. He is survived by his stepson, Mike Phinney of Hollister, Mo.; a brother, James Welch of Ames, Iowa; and two grandsons, Chad (Suzanne) Phinney of York, Neb., and Ryan (Jessica) Phinney of Kearney, Neb. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Austin and Ethan Phinney of York, Neb., and Elise and Lila Phinney of Kearney, Neb. A memorial service will be held on Oct. 31, 2014, at 3 p.m. at The Gardens at Arkanshire in Springdale, Ark. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery in Springfield, Mo., at 10 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2014. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. Visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign online guest book. Memorial gifts can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.