Donus E. Welke, age 81 years, of Archbold, passed away early Monday morning, Nov. 15, 2010, in his home.

He was born Sept. 27, 1929, at Detroit, Mich., the son of William and Elizabeth (Oberle) Welke, and married Dolores Hulack on June 21, 1952.

An Archbold-area resident since 1962, he was a tool & dye maker, and he partnered in 1970 creating an automotive parts manufacturing company formerly known as Form Tool & Manufacturing Company in Archbold.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in Germany during the Berlin Airlift.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores; two children, Donus D. (Lisa) Welke of Beaver Island, Mich., and Dawn (La- Mar) Gerig of Archbold; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Robert (Sue) Welke of Beaver Island, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William Welke II and Charles Welke.

Friends may call at Short Funeral Home in Archbold from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Services will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Beaver Island, Mich., at a later date, with interment in the Welke Cemetery on Beaver Island.