March 30, 1925 — Feb. 17, 2014

Willa Jean Welsh, 88, of Niles, died at 12:21 p.m. on Monday, Feb., 17, 2014, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on March 30, 1925 on the family farm northwest of Niles to Wiley L. and Clela Belle (Ray) Hickerson, and has lived in Niles all of her life.

Willa had been a member of the former Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Niles. She enjoyed reading about historical events, and enjoyed golfing and her pet dogs.

She was first married to Lyle Jesswein for twenty-seven years. Later, she married Roger Welsh who preceded her in death in 1991. She was also preceded in death by a son, Ken Jesswein, and by two infant brothers.

Surviving family includes her son, Dale Jesswein of Fort Myers, Florida and her daughters, Janis Jesswein of Niles and Lois (and Ed) Rockwell of Niles; daughter-in-law, Margie (Mrs. Ken) Jesswein of Alabama; grandchildren David Jesswein, Matt Jesswein, Alicia Swenson, Sadie Jesswein, Lily Jesswein, and Melissa Moore, and five great-grandchildren; and Willa’s sisters, Leiron “Lee” Hickerson of Pueblo, Colorado and Beverly A. Britton of Maine, and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Willa J. Welsh will gather privately at the graveside in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan, Michigan. Contributions in memory of Willa may be made to the American Cancer Society, or to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com