Edmund Wellen, 83, of Aviston, surrounded by his family was born to eternal life on January 30, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. Ed was born to Josephine (Markus) and Henry Wellen on October 31, 1925. He married Dolores Beckmann on May 30, 1950 in Germantown.

Ed was a member of the Mid America Dairymen Association, the Clinton County Farm Bureau and was a retired dairy farmer. He belonged to the American Legion Post 1239 and was a member of Trenton VFW Post 7983. Ed was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. He was also a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston and participated in the Schoenstatt prayer group.

Ed will be sadly missed and his life will continue to be celebrated by his wife of 58 years- Dolores; their two children and their spouses, Jim (Diane) Wellen and Janice (Virgil) Straeter. Ed’s spirit continues to live on in his four grandchildren – Eli (Janell) Straeter, Renee (Mark) Steinmann, Staci (fiancé, Darrell Strawbridge) Wellen, and Holly (special friend, Matt Albers) Wellen; two great grandchildren – Michaela and Jacob Steinmann; his sisters – Regina Wellen, Edna Wellen, and Jenny (Norbert) Haake; brothers-in-law, Virgil Beckmann and Robert Beckmann; and his nieces, nephews and friends.

Ed is greeted in heaven by his grandson – Michael Wellen, who died November 22, 2001; his mother and father; his sister – Ruth Wellen, his brother- Bernard Wellen; and his brothers-in-law, Paul Beckmann and Ralph Beckmann.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2009 and from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. The American Legion will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. and the VFW at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Patrick Peter and Deacon Charles Litteken officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston.

Ed lived his life with unwavering faith and exceptional devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We thank him for teaching us how to live and die with grace and dignity. Ed most enjoyed spending time with his family- especially his grandchildren who were the light of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Parish or Mater Dei High School and will be received at the funeral home.