Francis 'Butch' Welch, 80
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 9 months, 3 weeks AGO
Francis E. "Butch" Welch, 80, of Hobson, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Valle Vista. Butch was born Aug. 8, 1944, in Kankakee, Illinois, the son of Frank E. Welch and Mary Boudreau.
Butch worked in Kalispell and Missoula. He worked for the Sholey Corp. out of Missoula and was an over-the-road truck driver trucking mostly to Alaska. He had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed NASCAR, fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Flathead Free Trappers and the NW Montana Arms Collectors Association. On Sept. 27, 1996, he married Irene LaGeose and they resided in Hobson for 20 years.
Butch is survived by his wife, Irene; sisters, Myra Beegle of Lawton, Oklahoma and Melody Johnson of Kankakee, Illinois; stepdaughter, Linda Dickerson of Justin, Texas; stepson, Samuel LaGeose of Kalispell; grandsons, Douglas and David McAllister; great-grandchildren, Zayden, Aubrey and Sadie; and his dog, Molly.
He was preceded in death by his parents and numerous relatives.
A memorial gathering will be held at the Hobson Senior Center in Hobson on Saturday Aug. 9, from 1-3 p.m.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Butch's family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com