Beatrice R. Welker, 90, formerly of Columbia City, died at 10:10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Timbercrest Home in North Manchester where she had been a resident since August 2006.

She was born December 15, 1925 in Tiffin, Ohio a daughter of Enos J. and Caroline S. (Simons) Disler. She attended school in Tiffin through third grade, then her family moved to Huntington. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1943.

On June 7, 1944 she was united in marriage to Richard E. Welker. They made their home in Huntington until moving to Columbia City in 1960. Mr. Welker died March 12, 1992.

A homemaker, Bea also drove special education bus for Whitley County Schools from 1971 until 1985.

Her local church membership was with Columbia City United Methodist Church.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Deborah K. (Ron) Schenkel, Urbana; four grandchildren, Coley Schenkel, Monica Kuhn, Emily Stoops and Alison Rosemeyer; and seven great grandchildren.

Bea was also preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Disler and Elliott Disler, and a sister, Edith Ferguson.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Timbercrest Retirement Community Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Greenhill Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Preferred memorials are to Wabash/Miami Home Health Care & Hospice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.