Rebecca Jane Welker, age 92, of Altamont, Illinois passed away the evening of Monday, October 21, 2024 at Lutheran Care Center.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2024 at Pagel Funeral Homes in St. Elmo with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Randy Shrum will be officiating. Interment will be at Maplewood Cemetery in St. Elmo. Memorials may go to Samaritan's Purse or the donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.pagelfuneralhome.com.

Rebecca was born on December 14, 1931 in Patton, Missouri, the daughter of Julius E. and Leona J. (Price) Smith. She married Jay Welker on June 14, 1975 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was a member of Fairview Methodist Church.  Rebecca was an avid golfer, St. Louis Cardinals fan, loved going to car shows, flying and family road trips, and Elvis Presley.

She is survived by her brother, John Smith (Sandy) of Patton, Missouri; and sister, Lela Shrum of Sedgewickville, Missouri as well as 17 nieces and nephews, and special friends Ron Ragsdale, Lisette Ehrat, and her dear nephew Jack Belden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Leona Smith; husband, Jay Welker; brothers, Jay Smith and Lloyd Smith; and sister, Bobbie Barks.