Julia Ann (Hussing) Welch, 82, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (January 23, 2015) at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

The daughter of George and Opal (Messer) Hussing, she was born January 27, 1932 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On September 17, 1950 in Ottumwa, Iowa, Julia was united in marriage to John D. Welch who preceded her in death on January 11, 1991.

It was at this time Julia became a Navy wife. She and her husband moved to Oakland, CA where the first child was born. Navy life took her and her family to Groton, CT in 1953 where the second child was born and on to San Diego, CA in 1958 where the third and final child was born. Julia traveled extensively over the next ten years. The people of Yokosuka, Japan had to watch their toes when Julia became a taxi driver. Long Beach, CA was their last stop until retirement, when they moved and started a new life in LaPlata, MO in 1971. Julia finished her life in Kirksville, MO, and was employed a number of years at Hollister Inc.

Julia enjoyed dancing, shopping, garage sales and loved meeting and talking to people.

She was a member of American Legion of LaPlata, a member of a garden club, and was a member of the Kirksville Moose Lodge.

Julia is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, John and Elisa Welch of LaPlata, MO; two daughters, Debra Peavler of Hurdland, MO and Diana Owen of Williston, VT; two sisters, Noretta George of Wheeling, WV and Barbara Ann Navarez of Broomfield, CO; nine grandchildren, Jesse Owen of Williston, VT, Jason Owen and girlfriend, Sarah Plunkett of South Burlington, VT, Krystal and Josh Fuller of Burlington, VT, Mark and Michelle Peavler of Knox City, MO,
Travis Peavler and girlfriend, Jessica Corrick of Kirksville, MO, Alan and Crystal Peavler of Edina, MO, Regina and Jason Doss of Novelty, MO, Shania Ewalt and boyfriend, Travis Hamlin of Edina, MO and John C. and Myca Welch of Hutchison, KS, as well as her great-grandchildren, Austin Owen of Washington, ME, Chelsea Bisch, Jared and Alyssa Peavler, Ella Peavler, MaKennah and Jennah Peavler, Adalynn Doss, Colton and Rachel Peavler and Mckenzie, Lauren, and Jack Welch.

Graveside services were held 1:00 p.m. today, Monday (January 26, 2015) at the Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri under the direction of Travis-Noe Funeral Home of Kirksville.

Pallbearers were Jesse Owen, Jason Owen, Travis Peavler, Alan Peavler, John C. Welch and Jason Doss.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Julia Welch may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.