John Welker joined God’s Choir on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Mesa, surrounded by loved ones. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church, 3015 Highway 277 in Overgaard. He was born Dec. 3, 1936, to Charlie and Marion Welker in Bridgeport, Conn. John grew up in Connecticut and joined the men’s chorus in the eighth grade. He sang with them until 1970 when he moved to Arizona. He then joined the Arizona Opera Company, performing in eight operas. He was also in the Phoenicians Barbershop Chorus, the White Mountain Barbershop Chorus and the Four Wheel Drive Quartet. He had a bachelor’s degree and an engineering degree. He worked for Honeywell as well as two other companies as a draftsman, surveyor and designer engineer until he retired. John loved trains, train models and airplanes. Survivors include his daughter Elizabeth (Charles) Whitney and her family, Gabe (Bri) Stewart, Eric Lemke (children Damian, Devon and Darby) and Charles Whitney; and his daughter: Barbara (Jim) Carey and her family, Jason (Josh) Sacks, James (Chartrice) Carey (children Drayke, Marcus and Zoei), Justin Carey (children Tiana and CJ) and Carma (Erik) Methe (children Taylor and Dallas). He was preceded in death by his daughter, Judy Welker; his wife, Jane Welker; and his wife, Lucinda Welker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1402, Overgaard, Ariz. 85933. Silver Creek Mortuary of Taylor was in charge of the arrangements.
