Eugene "Gene" Everard Welch, 83, of Rock Island, left to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Visitation will be 10am-12pm, Funeral service will be 12pm-1pm at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL. on Friday January 21, 2022.  Burial with military honors will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made to the family to be established at a later date.

Gene was born on July 1, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son of John and Gladys (Anderson) Welch.  He married Jeanetta Lou Valeu on her birthday, November 5, 1960 in Cedar Rapids.

Gene retired as a machinist from the Rock Island Arsenal after 27 years and 7 months of faithful service on April 2, 1993.  Prior to that, he served in the United States Air Force from 1954-60.  While working on the Arsenal Island, Gene served in the United States Air Force Reserve and retired on June 30, 1998.

Gene was a loving husband, father, papa, great grandpa, and friend.  He was an avid firearm enthusiast, loved reading, playing games on computers, and collecting things.  He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in their extracurricular activities and being with family.

Gene was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Rock Island.  He also loved visiting with his family at Heritage Church on Saturday evenings worshipping the Lord.

Those left to cherish Gene's memory include his daughter and son-in-law, Tamijean and Eric Mumma, of Rock Island; grandchildren, Ashlyn, Abigail (Anthony), Amanda, and E.J. Mumma; great granddaughter, Amora Pittington; several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanetta, and his parents.