Jerry Lowell Welker

Jerry L Welker, 83, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Born on March 19, 1939, in Fort Wayne, he was a son of the late Lowell O and Margaret E (Buirley) Welker. He was a 1957 graduate of Central High School. After graduation he joined the GE Apprentice School in Fort Wayne where he graduated as a Draftsman in 1960. Later that year he was accepted in Purdue University and graduated with a Bachelors in Metallurgical Engineering in 1964. On May 9, 1964 he married the love of his life, Beverly Bickel, and they moved to Middletown, Ohio where Jerry took a job with Armco Steel Corporation. He attended graduate school at the University of Cincinnati before returning to Fort Wayne in 1966 to work for International Harvester. He spent his first few years at International as a Project Engineer before joining the Product Liability Group. During his time with product liability he traveled to 45 states and testified in many trials as an expert witness on behalf of International Harvester/ Navistar. He retired from Navistar in 2001 as the Head of Product Liability after more than 34 years of service. Jerry was very active in both his professional and personal life. He served as the Chairman of the American Society of Metals, co-authored college textbooks on Metallurgy & Failure Analysis, taught entry-level metallurgy classes at the Anthis Career Center, was a math tutor for kids middle school-college level, served as a judge for the bridge building contest at Science Central, was an assistant and head coach for the St. Vincent Soccer Team, and was involved Music Boosters for Bishop Dwenger High School. He was a lifelong member of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Fort Wayne, and served on many teams and committees over the years with his wife Beverly. Jerry had many hobbies including gardening, fishing, and photography. He loved family get togethers, playing cards, having cookouts, watching Purdue sports and every once in awhile, pounding his fists on the table and telling you how it is. He is survived by his son Richard Welker, of Fort Wayne; and grandson, Gregory Welker. He was also preceded in death by his wife of over 55 years, Beverly J (Bickel) Welker, in 2019; and brother, Raymond “Dan” Welker. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am, Tuesday, February, 7, 2023, at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1502 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm, Monday, February 6, 2023, at D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial donations may be given to the American Diabetes Association. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Welker family at www.mccombandsons.com