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134th Infantry Regiment"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
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134th Infantry Regiment"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
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Pfc. Donald K Wellfare landed with the 134th Infantry Regiment on Omaha Beach July 5, 1944. He was Wounded in Action July 16, 1944 during the battle for St. Lo, France.
Obituary |
| Donald Kenneth Wellfare, 93, passed away
April 1, 2017, in Ionia, MI, at Heartland Health Care Center. Don was
the son of George and Gladys (Coburn) Wellfare, born on January 8, 1924
in Hastings, MI. Don was married to Elaine M. Winslow on December 24,
1943. They resided in Rutland Township on Algonquin Lake and on West
State Road. Don built both of their homes and lived on West State Road
until his move to Oak View Assisted Living and then eventually to
Heartland Health Care Center. Don graduated from Hastings High School, the class of 1942. He participated in track and cross country as a team captain for 3 years, holding a 440 yard dash record until the 1960s. Don entered the Army Infantry Branch on January 21, 1943 from Ft. Custer. He trained in San Luis Obispo and Camp Rucker in Alabama. He served with the 35th Division Company B, 134 Regiment, and took part in the Omaha Beach, Normandy Campaign. Don was injured at the Battle of St. Lo, and hospitalized in England for one year. Don was discharged from Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, MI on June 7, 1945. Don was awarded a Bronze Battle Star, European-African Middle Eastern Theater ribbon, a Combat Infantry Badge, and a Purple Heart medal. After his return from the service, Don worked at Tyden/Viking Corporation as a tool and die machinist and retired as a supervisor at Tyden Seal, after working for forty-four years. After retirement Don enjoyed his cottage on the Muskegon River and his home in Florida in the winter. He loved his family and was a proud grandparent, great-grandparent, and great-great-grandparent. Don was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Elaine, his parents, brother Karl, sister Beverly, and two grand babies. Surviving are his children, Vicki (Jock) Clarey of Portland, MI and Sue (Steve) Allerding of Ionia, MI; grandchildren, Kelly (Patrick) Blake, John (Lisa) and Colleen Clarey, Josh and Tim Allerding, Abbie (Ken) Whorley; and great-grandchildren, Tyler (Kiley), Kelsey, Kathryn, Hunter, Chloe, Chet, Elizabeth, Brayden, Sophie, Isabella; great-great grandchildren Holden and Zoey; 4 neices and a nephew; special friend Pat Leckrone. Donald’s family will be served by Lauer Family Funeral Home, Hastings. At Don’s request, a graveside service will be held on April 13 at 2:00 p.m., at Hastings Township Cemetery on McKeown Road. Memorial contributions to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 900 N. Cooper Street, Jackson, MI 40202 or a charity of your choice. Please share condolences to the family at www.lauerfuneralhome.com. |
Thanks to Abbie Whorley, proud granddaughter of Pfc. Wellfare, for this information and the photo.
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