Weldon Franklin Phelps

Weldon Franklin Phelps, 88, of Indianapolis, passed away Friday, April 8, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Weldon was born in Moline, IL to Greta and John Phelps. He attended Moline High School where he was a star football player, and after graduating in 1941, went to work for Allison, a Division of General Motors in Indianapolis. In October 1942, he joined the Army Air-Corps where he was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 92nd Bomb Group, 407th Squadron. After many successful missions, he was shot down and spent 21 months in the POW camp Stalag 17B. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to Indianapolis, where he was re-employed at Allison. Weldon retired in 1979 after 36 years of service and moved to Clearwater, Florida. In 2006, he returned to Indianapolis and was a resident of Westside Garden Plaza Retirement Community, where he was a beloved friend to many who will miss him.

Weldon was survived by three daughters: Christal Steele (Norman) of Indianapolis, Valerie Long (William) of Avon, Charisse Beyler (Daniel) of Fishers, and stepson, Donald Cox (Audrey) of Kansas City, KS. He was especially proud of his 9 wonderful grandchildren, Michele Cox-Creger (Lonnie), Donald Cox, Eric Steele, Emily Steele-Linton (Matthew), Benjamin (Jake) Beyler, Chelsea Beyler, Ana Beyler, Gretchen Beyler, and Liz Beyler. He was anticipating the birth of his first great-grandchild in June to Matthew and Emily Linton. He was especially close to his four nephews, Michael Phelps (Pat), Bruce Hodgson (Del), Wesley Hodgson (Luz), and Jeffrey Hodgson (deceased). He loved and cherished his many great-nieces and nephews. Weldon's Brazilian exchange student, Margareth Scarton-Badino (Frank) will always hold a special place in Weldon's heart.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Rosemary Albert-Phelps, parents John and Greta Phelps, brother Wesley Phelps, and sister, Bernadine Hodgson.

In his earlier years, Weldon was an amateur boxer and was the proud winner of three Golden Gloves Championship Awards (Moline, IL - 1941; Indianapolis -1946 & 1947). He was recently honored in Indianapolis at a Golden Gloves event at the Tyndall Armory. In more recent years, Weldon volunteered as a driver with the American Red Cross and taught adults to read through a literacy program in Clearwater, FL. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post in Speedway, IN, enjoyed playing cards, painting, and was a lover of football and boxing.

Weldon was a decorated Veteran of WWII and received the following medals: EAME Service Medal w/Bronze Star, Air Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart and POW Medal.

The visitation for Weldon Phelps will be from 11am - 2pm on Friday, April 15, 2011, at the Crown Hill Cemetery Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service and special Veteran's Ceremony will follow the visitation at 2pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Red Cross, Indiana University Methodist Hospice, or the Smile Train charity.