Dr. Stephen E. Welty Sr., of Louisville, Illinois, passed away peacefully into the loving, healing arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, November 29, 2024. He was born in Flora, Illinois, the son of John and Ruby (Smith) Welty on December 29, 1946. He met and married his loving wife, Ruthie (McGilvry) Welty on January 5, 1968, while both were serving our country in the U.S. Army. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Louisville, Flora American Legion Post 14, and Flora Masonic Lodge #204.

      From a young age, Stephen had a love of reading, hunting, and trapping. He was drafted in the Army, serving as a heart and x-ray technician, and his most memorable moment in life was meeting and marrying his loving wife, Ruthie. He would often say, “I out ranked her in the Army, but she has out ranked me ever since.” This January 5, 2025, would have been their 57th wedding anniversary.

      He would graduate from Logan College of Chiropractic, becoming a driving force in healthcare in southern Illinois and his beloved Clay County area during the 70’s and 80’s. He served on healthcare boards with others in the medical profession to improve access to healthcare technology. In his later years, he retired from Combined Insurance Company.

      Throughout his years, he was well known for his pool and snooker abilities, poker playing, being “the best” at rook, dominoes, Yahtzee, five hundred, and his dry, witty, occasionally off-color humor with friends, family, or anyone within earshot of his deep voice. Most importantly he valued all of his family and friend groups. He and Ruthie loved, raised, and would go anywhere for their 4 children and, eventually, many grandchildren.

      Aside from family, friends, chiropractic, and his church, he had a deep love for his country and community. He served in various roles locally and statewide with the American Legion, provided personal support to many local veterans and veteran groups, and, along with Ruthie, spent many years visiting veterans in local nursing homes. He was also active in the Masons and bird dog groups, especially those dedicated to Llewellin Setters, which he considered the best of the best. He was the biggest cheerleader and chauffeur for Ruthie’s group, the Shooting Stars Drill Team. He was often affectionately referred to as Big Steve, Doc Welty, Ruthie’s husband, Uncle Steve, dad, grandpa, or, as his sister Linda would say, Stephen.

      Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Ruthie; children, Stephanie (Eric) Ahrens, Stephen (Melissa) Welty Jr., Christina (Mark) Herzing, Cheryl (Roger) Teesdale; grandchildren, Eric Kline, Tailor Kline, Kayla Herzing, Michael Welty, Christopher Ahrens, Norma Welty, Stacy Welty, Matthew Herzing, Mikayla Welty, Brooke Teesdale, Emily Ahrens, Daniel Welty, Nora Teesdale, and Myla Teesdale; sister, Linda (Donnie) Boyd; sister-in-law, Margaret Boles; his Aunt Wilma Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins that were a big part of his life. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; brother, Dr. Jack Welty; sisters, Patricia Pruitt, Jeannie Owens, and Ruth Ann Welty. His beloved dog, Rusty, remains on guard.

      A visitation for Dr. Stephen Welty Sr., 77, will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, December 5, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with Masonic Rites presented at the conclusion of the visitation. A funeral ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, December 6, at the funeral home, followed by burial in Rusk Cemetery with military funeral honors conducted. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Stephen’s name to the donor’s choice of First Baptist Church of Louisville, the Shooting Stars Drill Team, or the Flora American Legion, and these will be accepted at the funeral home. Stephen was a man of many sayings and memories, so please bring a memory, an activity, or a saying to share at the visitation. To share a condolence or memory online, visit: www.frankandbright.com