Born: September 17, 1944 - Deceased: 20231018
Julia Welch, nee Buser, 79, of Belleville, IL, born Sunday, September 17, 1944, in Cincinnati, OH, passed away October 18, 2023 at Mercy Rehab in Swansea, IL.
Mrs. Welch was a retired attorney, having graduated from University of Illinois School of Law in 1991. She was a proud graduate of St. Teresa Academy and St. Patrick’s Grade School in East St. Louis. After graduation from St. Louis University, Mrs. Welch worked as a medical technologist at the bacteriology clinical laboratory at St. Louis University Hospital, followed by a year in Seoul, Korea. She enjoyed many happy years as a stay-at-home mother to her three sons and was a community volunteer before becoming an attorney in mid-life. Mrs. Welch had been a board member of United Way, Call for Help, Bethany Place and the Belleville Philharmonic Society, where she was a long-time officer. She particularly enjoyed opera, reading, discussing and debating literature, politics and the news of the day; singing alto with St. Teresa and St. Henry Church choir; Diocesan Schola and the Philharmonic Chorale; travel and spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Father: Julian W. Buser, M.D.
- Mother: Dorothy, nee Toland, Buser
- Sister: Patricia Goller
- Brother-in-law: Bruce Goller
Surviving are her:
- Sons:
- William (Denise) Welch of Dardenne Prairie, MO
- James (Tara) Welch of Millstadt, IL
- Douglas Welch of Belleville, IL
- Brothers:
- Paul (Cindi) Buser of Scottsdale, AZ
- Lawrence (Lisa) Buser of Memphis, TN
- Stephen (Clare) Buser of Columbia, IL
- Robert (Helene Silverblatt, M.D.) Buser M.D. of Corrales, NM
- Grandchildren:
- Landon, Aidan & Taylor Welch
- Nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Philharmonic Society of Belleville.
Visitation: Visitation from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Friday, October 27, 2023 at Cathedral of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 27, 2023 at Cathedral of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Kenneth York officiating. Interment will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
14 Comments
The loss of a mother is one of the most deeply felt of all. Bless you in your grief and remember only good things
My sympathy to Julia Buser Welch’s family and friends. My brother Larry Hoffmann was in the Assumption High School class of 1962. I know he and Julia were friends because he’d received some cards from her, and I read them all after he died on February 3, 2020. I wish you all time to grieve and share happy memories of Julia. God bless you.
Susanne Hoffmann, STA 1959
Steven Buser,my sincerest sympathies. To you and the Buser family on the loss of your sister.
Growing up with the Buser family and the friendship Ferd and Kay Mueller had with Dr.Julian and Dorothy was a treasure,the Mueller family will never forget!
I hope you are doing well and my sincerest blessings to you and the Buser Family from the Mueller family.
Mike Mueller.
Julie and I started the first grade together. We stayed in contact during the past 30 years. Her STA graduating class voted her “most likely to succeed.” She was a good person and will be missed by many.
RIP. So sorry for your loss. Your mother was our lawyer when we adopted our son 28 years ago. She was a kind and compassionate person. Fellow STA grad from 1969
I had forgotten Julia sang alto in the St. Teresa school choir! But I am not surprised that it was remembered in her obituary. It was a significant experience for me and it seems to have been for her, too. She and I and Mary Ellen Johnston in the afternoons in the alto section under Sister Pricilla’s energetic direction. The choir room was spacious, and the winds of every season found a way through what I remember as large windows overlooking the green campus and carried our harmonies into the universe. I can remember them now, every one, but especially Silent Night. Julia had a lovely voice. It brings tears to my eyes to think of it silenced. But I thank God she persevered in our Faith and and her dear self may be singing again in a larger space, with a larger view.
We enjoyed having Julia serving as our personal attorney and working as a Soccer Mom for Jim’s soccer team. She was a wonderful person. We are sorry we cannot be at the visitation because we are out of town. You have our deepest sympathy.
Julia and I went to St. Patrick’s grade school together and St. Teresa Academy. I spent a lot of time at her home growing up. She was a great friend and accomplished so much during her lifetime. She will be missed by so many.
Sending my condolences to Welch family and to anyone that knew and loved Julia. I am sorry to hear of her passing.
Julia is a sister to my high school friends Patti and Larry. I shared a few meals and times at the Buser house where Julia and her parents me feel welcome. I admired her change of careers later in life.
A life well lived.
Julia was a dear friend and cLass mate at STA. We sang together in the choir. We talked together at our 60 reunion in 2022. She was kind and a lot of fun. We will miss her very much.
Julie and I worked together on many philharmonic projects along with singing in the chorale and the choir at St Teresa church. She had a unique sense of humor.
So sorry for your loss. She will be missed by many.
My sincerest sympathies to the Buser and Welsh family losing a bright shining star in your family. I worked with a wonderful man (Dr. Julian Buser) who always talked about his family and how proud he was of his children. I’m sure he was at the gates of heaven with a big cigar in his mouth with a huge smile! Rest in peace Julia. 🙏
I was so saddened to learn of Julie’s passing. Looking back over the many years that have passed, I could not help but remember all the wonderful, happy memories of my friendship with Julie and the Buser family while attending St. Patrick School and St. Teresa Academy. Julie was my best childhood friend. I admired her many musical talents, gentle heart, accomplishments in life, and challenges she met with courage. “Some people don’t just live life…They illuminate it.” What an awesome legacy! For both the Welch and Buser Families, I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and daily prayers. With Sympathy, Sharon O’Brien Burns