Stanley D. Welli

life story

A man of courage, integrity, and great humor.

About Stan

Stanley Dean Welli, 85, of Downers Grove, Illinois was one of the most remarkable men you never heard of!

Before he passed away on August 7, 2022 Stan Welli was a man who:

Lived through the last four years of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.

Had five uncles in World War II, three of whom saw intense combat in Anzio, Okinawa, and at the Battle of the Bulge. Had a B-29 Superfortress training base only two miles from his boyhood home in Kansas.

Lost relatives in Europe when they were sent to Russia when WWII ended.

Was a star athlete in Pratt high school (football and baseball), class of ‘54! Ran the Chicago Marathon at age 44 in 3:49 and beat his time a year later.

Was a soldier at the United States Army-Alaska headquarters who worked with punch card accounting, the forerunner of EDP.

Was entertained by and had his picture taken with Bob Hope at a USO show in December 1956. The photo appeared in the Chicago Tribune’s Sunday magazine a few weeks after the show. Forty-three years later he returned the favor authoring an article in VFW Magazine titled “Bob Hope, Honorary Veteran.”

Drove the Alcan Highway in 1957 - Anchorage to Seattle.

Explored for oil; was proficient as a member of a surveyor’s team, as a driller’s helper, and in the use of dynamite.

Had a great uncle who was one of the last old time western marshals; living in Durango, CO, this colorful man later was an extra in several western movies filmed in the area.

Spent 34 years as a highly skilled investigative auditor and dedicated public servant in the IRS’ internal affairs division; later rising to a mid-level management position where his courage & integrity brought him to testify before a grand jury, and twice before public and televised Congressional hearings

Has had part of his life story appear in books published in 1990 and 1997.

Continued freelance writing after retirement; published a book “PLAY ‘RED WING’!”; a biographical novel regarding the plight of his ancestors migrating to the United States, several magazine articles, and numerous commentaries. In 1997 was complimented by former President George H.W. Bush for an article about the 50th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion.

Was president of the accounting society at University of Kansas (Go Jayhawks!) where he earned his B.S. in business administration. Director of education for a chapter of Parents without Partners in Chicago’s western suburbs; and a member of the Fox Valley Genealogical Society board of directors.

Has lived through earthquakes, tornadoes, a typhoon during an ocean voyage, once helped fight a forest fire, and was in a pickup truck that got run over by a bulldozer.

During his down time Stan enjoyed running, walking around his neighborhood, telling stories about aliens and Bigfoot, laughing, sending calendars and articles to family and friends and loved all animals, especially Barney, the family’s “talking dog”. He continued to enjoy his walks 6 days a week for 1-2 miles each day through his neighborhood of Downers Grove until his focus turned to fighting esophageal cancer. Stan always found a way to keep his spirits up and to find the positive in the life going on around him.

Stan was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, Naperville, IL where he sang in the choir for many years and First United Methodist Church, Downers Grove, IL where he enjoyed his time with fellow church members.

He is survived by a son, Steven Welli (Maureen), West Allis, WI; a son, Mike Welli (Jeanine), Wichita, KS; a daughter Lisa Welli, Joliet, IL; and a daughter Susan Welli, Houston, TX. In addition, there are three grandchildren, Tony Welli, Alison Welli, and Crystal Vidal, niece Leslie Welli and two great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Esther (Swafford) Welli of Iuka, Kansa, two brothers, Larry Welli and Earl Welli, and nephew David Welli (Megan Brooks).

Services will take place on October 8, 2022 when Stan will be interred in his original home of Iuka, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Iuka United Methodist Church, Box 206 Iuka, KS 67124 or to the First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove using the link below.

The family of Stan Welli wishes to thank all of those who cared for him throughout his illness. We will all miss him and his stories very much.

memorial service

October 8, 2022

Iuka United Methodist Church 302 Mc Clellan, Iuka, KS 67066, USA

All are welcome to attend a simple service to honor Stan at the Iuka United Methodist Church. Interment at the Iuka Cemetery will immediately follow and then please join us for lunch back at the church as we share stories of the storyteller.