Raymond P. "Ray" Welvaert, 85, East Moline, died on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Hope Creek Nursing Facility, East Moline. Funeral services are 10AM Friday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline. Burial is in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Visitation is 3-7PM Thursday (Today) at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 2:30PM. Memorials may be made to St. Anne Church or Alleman High School, Rock Island. Ray was born on January 25, 1928 in Milan, IL, the son of Albrick and Cecelia (Verstraete) Welvaert. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, Rock Island in 1946. He married Shirley M. Wells on October 1, 1949. Ray worked for Bond Drug Store and the former Moline Consumers Company where he managed several stone quarries and sand pits, retiring in 1990. He loved boating and traveling with his wife Shirley, in their motorhome, along with their sheltie, Brandy. Ray was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Ray and Shirley enjoyed several years wintering at Swan Lake Park in North Fort Meyers, Florida. Ray enjoyed woodworking and crafts, and was a member of the Quad Cities Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Survivors include his wife Shirley of 63 years, sons, Donald P. (Sally) Welvaert, Moline, Gerald R. (Janet) Welvaert, Colorado Springs, CO, and Eugene F. (Sheila) Welvaert, Peoria, IL. Ten grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 2 sisters, Anne (Kenneth) Sullivan and Clara Welvaert, granddaughter, Erika Spengler as well and his parents.

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