Edward Gilles Welcker

Edward Gilles Welcker

October 15, 1918 - March 03, 2017

Edward Gilles Welcker

October 15, 1918 - March 03, 2017

Obituary

Edward Gilles Welcker
October 15, 1918 – March 3, 2017

Edward was born in Magelang, Indonesia. He grew up in Yogjakarta, attending a Roman Catholic elementary school, and then attended Queen Wilhelmina School in Jakarta. He was employed by the Dutch Railroad Co. in Indonesia.

At age 19 he was drafted by the Royal Dutch Navy where he served for eleven years. On February 27, 1942 he participated in The Battle of the Java Sea on the Hr. Ms. De Ruyter. He was captured, and remained a POW for 3 1/2 years including working on the Burma Railway in Thailand.

Upon returning home from the war Ed married Gusta Cornelia Frieser on March 21, 1947 and lived on the island of Belitung where he was employed by the Billiton Mining Co.

Ed and Corrie’s five children, Yvonne, Sonja, Ernest, Lydia and Jan-Willem were all born in Indonesia. In 1958 they emigrated to the Netherlands where Ed worked as an instructor for a boys technical college in Breda.

In 1961 Ed and his family emigrated to the United States of America and settled in California. Edward worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and for Kaiser Steel.

Ed and Corrie resided for many years in Covina where they raised their children. Following Ed’s retirement, they relocated to Laguna Hills.

His beloved wife Corrie passed away on April 12, 2009. Ed is survived by his 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all and fondly remembered for his kindness, generosity and strength.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 11am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Laguna Hills.

Flowers can be sent to O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills. Phone: 949-581-4300

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Nicholas Catholic Church.

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5 responses to Edward Gilles Welcker

  1. Dave Shirlaw says:

    1 file added to the tribute wall

  2. Our Deepest Sympathy go out to the whole family of Ed Welcker…
    The Verspeten family knows Ed Welcker for 80 years… Ed was a “kost jongen” at the
    Verspeten’s in Djocjakarta in 1937… He was part of our family, and the friendship stayed
    close over the years, also after he married his beloved wife Corrie Frieser….
    Ed is re-united with his beloved wife Corrie now…
    Our prayers go out to Ed’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren….
    With love, Willy Hamstra-Verspeten, Ben Verspeten, Ans de Jongh-Verspeten & fam.

  3. Lori Green says:

    Dear Welcker family and friends, My sincere condolences on your loss. My loss, too. He was such a good man with a heart of gold. We are all lucky to have been a part of his life and family. Love you all!! He is with Oma now. I am sure they are holding hands…..

  4. Patty Bell says:

    Rest in Peace Uncle Ed. You can leave feeling very proud of your life and the Beautiful family you raised.You are a lucky man to leave very much loved.

  5. Stanna W says:

    Making sourdough bread on this snowy day,I was thinking about some memories from the past.The Welckers’ came to mind.I was over at their house almost everyday…Mr Welcker was always calmly sitting in his chair reading the paper.Comforting.I went on trips into LA to visit their relatives.
    He would stop by this place that made these white buns with meat inside…
    I do not know what they are called but they were delicious…He took movies of us and he was protective and quiet as I recall…A very devoted father and husband in his gentle way.A good man.More like him please…Stanna

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