Douglas "Michael" Welter

January 6, 1995 - February 21, 2021

Douglas “Michael” Welter, Jr., 26 of Chaffee passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Evelyn’s House in Creve Coeur, Missouri following his second battle with cancer. At Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Siteman Cancer Center and Evelyn’s House, he was compassionately cared for by everyone…his oncologists, nurses, aids, PT/OT staff and his hospice staff. Special Thank you to Dr. Hirbe and Dr. Chaudrhi, oncologists, and Amanda Allen, RN.

Michael was born January 6, 1995 at Seymour-Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, North Carolina to LT Douglas M. Welter USAF, and Rebecca Semsrott Welter.

He enjoyed doing everything with his dad and younger brother, Matthew…. hiking and fishing in Montana, Alaska, Colorado and Missouri, swimming, fixing anything broken, riding along to air shows to watch Dad “jump” from WWll aircraft and even getting to really “jump with him”. He loved cooking form an early age and made that his ambition in life. In 2019 he finally found his culinary niche…. becoming a cook at the Chateau Girardeau. He was passionate about his work.

He loved being with his family anytime but especially for holidays-the Semsrott Annual Fourth of July picnic (he oved the firing of the cannon), the traditional Halter Christmas Eve celebration (Santa even visited everyone), camping and making S’mores, helping Grandma with her yardwork and helping Pawpaw on the farm. Maw maw got him hooked on volunteering when he helped her deliver Meals on Wheels. His biggest concern was that he wouldn’t get to meet his new, and only, nephew, Isaac. But not to worry, Michael. We will make sure Isaac knows all about his Uncle Mike. Leon, Michael’s kitty, has found a new family/home with Michael’s co-worker, Rachel.

Michael briefly attended Southeast Missouri University. He served four years with the Missouri National Guard unit in Perryville, Missouri, attaining the rank of specialist.

In December 2020 he was again diagnosed with cancer.

He is survived by his dad, MAJ Douglas M. Welter (retired USAF) and his wife Tammy of Brandon, Mississippi; his mother, Rebecca Semsrott of Rogers, Arkansas; brother SGT Matthew D. Welter, USMC, Okinawa and his wife Kanako and son, Isaac; paternal grandparents, Franklin (Linda) Welter of Chaffee; Dave (Cheryl) Semsrott of Des Peres, Missouri. Michael is also survived by his loving uncles and aunts… Tim (Linette) Welter Brammeier of Elberfeld, Indiana; Jonathan (Melissa) Welter of Wentzville, Missouri; Ben (Sally) Welter Hancock of Puxico, Missouri; David Semsrott of St. Louis, Missouri; Danielle Semsrott and Fiancé Jason Shook of Bentonville, Arkansas. Special cousins are Tanner and Lauren Brammeier, Lincoln Saffa, Isabella Welter, Avery and Addison Hancock, Evelyn and Lilly Shook. Along with many great-uncles, great-aunts and cousins-all who will always cherish their memories of Michael. He has left an emptiness in our hearts that only time can heal.

Michael was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents Anton (Agnes) Welter; Albert (Lucille) Halter; maternal great-grandparents, William (Ruth) Semsrott; Robert (Nadine) Tabers.

Michael chose to be cremated and returned to the place he loved and called home-Pawpaw and Maw maw’s farm.

A private service will be held at the family farm on Saturday, March 13th followed by a Celebration of Life, for family and friends, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at the Chaffee Nutrition Center, 800 S. Main St, Chaffee, where he was so respected and so loved… and where he so proudly volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program.

The family asks that, if you chose, donations be made in Michael’s memory to Evelyn’s House and given/mailed to Linda Welter, 1405 County Hwy 211, Chaffee, MO 63740 to be personally delivered.

Obituary curtsey of Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel.