Bernice A. Wellen, age 84, of Highland, passed away Wednesday, November 4, in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. Funeral services for 84 year-old Bernice A. Wellen will be Friday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Paul Catholic Church. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland. Memorials are suggested to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
She was born on Wednesday, November 5, 1930, in St Rose, IL, the daughter of Theodore and Gertrude (nee Kampwerth) Schrage.
On Wednesday, October 5, 1949, she married George H. Wellen passed away on March 30, 2010.
She was a member of Saint Paul Catholic Church; Local #840, International Union of Electronic Electrical, Salaried, Machine & Furniture Workers, AFL/CIO – Highland, IL; Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois (Highland Chapter); a former member of Daughters of Isabella Sacred Heart Circle 237 of Highland.
Bernice was born in St. Rose, IL and grew up there. At the age of 15, she moved to Highland and worked at St. Joseph Hospital for a few years. She later worked for Highland Supply, then Basler Electric from 1984 to 1994, until retiring. She and her husband operated a grain and livestock farm northeast of Highland in Saline Township. She enjoyed playing cards with the ladies card club and spending time with her friends at several local restaurants. She was a daily communicant of St. Paul church.
Survivors include:
Son – Lowell G. (Denise) Wellen, Highland, IL
Son – Lee J. (Lucy) Wellen, Highland, IL
Son – Luke T. (Sue) Wellen, Highland, IL
Daughter – Laurie A. (Gary) Todt, Highland, IL
Grandchild – Travis L. (Stephanie) Wellen, Highland, IL
Grandchild – Leah M. Wellen, Highland, IL
Grandchild – Tara L. Wellen, Highland, IL
Grandchild – Michelle Y. (Michael) Spillers, Maryville, IL
Grandchild – Marshall A. (Candace) Todt, O Fallon, MO
Grandchild – Sydney S. Wellen, Highland, IL
Great Grandchild – Jaisen E. Wellen, Highland, IL
Great Grandchild – Myles J. Spillers, Maryville, IL
Great Grandchild – Mason G. Spillers, Maryville, IL
Great Grandchild – Brody L. Davis, Maryville, IL
Brother – Leander (Dolores) Schrage, Carlyle, IL
Brother – Theodore (Marie) Schrage, Pocahontas, IL
Sister In-law – Judy Schrage, St. Rose, IL
She was preceded in death by:
Father – Theodore J. Schrage (Died 1984)
Mother – Gertrude Schrage nee Kampwerth (Died 1948)
Husband – George H. Wellen (Died 3/30/2010)
Brother – Alexander Schrage, St. Rose, IL
Sister – Leora H. Varel (Died 10/30/2003)
Brother In-law – John Varel
Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home
1501 Ninth at Lemon Street
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-2133
