Published on August 02, 2007
Otmar Drekonja, Ph.D

Otmar Drekonja, Ph.D
My children and I, together with their families, want to let our friends and colleagues know of the death of Otmar Drekonja, Ph.D, professor emeritus of St. John’s University in Collegeville. He died on Monday, July 30th 2007.
Otmar was born in 1934 in Kornat, Austria, where he worked as a teacher in elementary schools, high schools and several institutions of higher education. As a young child he was deeply influenced by WW2 and the harrowing years afterwards. He lost his father in 1944. His mother relied on the 12 year old to help keep the family afloat. These years helped him form his outlook on life and his understanding of politics. Educating students to consider the impact of their lives on the world around them was of utmost importance to him.
Otmar arrived at St. John’s University in the fall of 1964 to teach German. He returned to Austria for 3 years and then followed Fr. Dunstan Tucker’s invitation to rejoin the St. John’s faculty. He loved his students, enjoyed teaching, was very involved in the Study Abroad Program and was always interested in a lively discourse with colleagues.
He retired in 2000 after 46 years of teaching.
Otmar’s love of life, sense of curiosity and adventure were contagious, and so were his sense of justice, fairness and social concern. Our three children grew up with this challenge, grew up sharing his interest in music, mountain-climbing, skiing, hiking and politics, and with his constant encouragement, help and support. It was Otmar’s hope that this would aid them to live their lives productively and joyfully. He was proud of all their accomplishments. Later the joy he felt at the arrival of each of his four grandchildren brightened all his days.
For the last 5 years Otmar suffered from ALS, also known al Lou Gehrig’s disease. He had a lot of patience with the indignities this devastating illness presented almost every day (not just Tuesdays with Morrie!) and which he bore with good humor which almost broke your heart because you knew what it cost him! When you talked with him you forgot how ill he was. He was positive and enjoyed each good day; he had the most encouraging words for anyone who helped him. He never stopped caring for his family, his friends and wonderful neighbors. Their visits and discussions kept him involved and enabled him to express and explain his strongly held belief in democracy and our obligation to speak out for peace and human dignity. Always the teacher, he did so with eloquence and conviction.
We miss him, we miss his supportive love, his wisdom and the good humor which he brought to our lives.
The memorial service will be held at St. John’s Abbey Church on Saturday, August 4th at 1:30 p.m., with a reception to follow in the Great Hall.
Ingrid Drekonja, with our children
Dr. Thomas Drekonja with Verena and grandsons Alexander and Nikolaus
Natascha O’Flaherty, J.D., with Glenn and Stephanie
Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, with Kara and Andreas

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Warren Philip Welch II
Warren Philip Welch II

COLUMBUS ‹ Warren Philip Welch II, 61, of rural Columbus died Sunday, July 29, 2007, at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was born Oct. 27, 1945, in Chanute to Warren Philip and Edna Teresa (Boaz) Welch. He attended Erie schools and graduated from Chanute Junior College.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran. He owned and operated the Chanute Livestock Auction for several years and ranched in the Chanute and Erie area.

He married Cindy Poor on Feb. 14, 2004, at Hallowell Community Church. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Tina Byers of Humboldt and Shelly Barno of Thayer; two sons, Jess Welch of Erie and Berry Welch of Urbana; his mother, Edna Welch of Vinita, Okla.; two stepdaughters, Amanda Feagan and Hallie Feagan, both of Columbus; and a stepson, Richard Feagan of Columbus; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Teresa Brazil of Chanute and Margaret Kellogg of Erie; and four brothers, Jay Welch of Welch, Okla., Tim Welch of Joplin, Stephen Welch of Vinita, Okla., and Matt Welch of Topeka.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Baptist Church in Chetopa. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon at the church. Cremation will follow the service. His cremains will be buried in the Edgmand Cemetery at a later date.

The family suggests memorials to the ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Foundation, which may be left in care of Murdock Funeral Home in Columbus.