Welter

Marlene (Wulff) Welter, 79, of Butler, Donegal Township, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, while in the company of her loving husband, Wednesday morning, Sept. 30, 2026.

She was born May 3, 1947, in Butler, daughter of the late Elmer and Dorothy (Grant) Wulff.

Marlene graduated from Butler High School in 1965. In June 1967, she married Blair Weitzel. Shortly after their wedding, she accompanied him to Germany while he was stationed there with the U.S. Army. Following their return to Butler, Marlene devoted herself to being a homemaker and then a stay-at-home mom to raise their two daughters, Tracy and Victoria “Vicki.” She was actively involved in their elementary school years, proudly serving as their room mother for many years. While her marriage to Blair ended, they always remained bonded by the love of the children they raised together.

Years later, she was blessed to find a second deep love in William “Bill” Welter. They were married on May 13, 2006, and shared many years filled with love, companionship and happiness. Together, they split their time between Butler and their home in Florida. Bill's unwavering love and devotion have been especially evident throughout Marlene's recent health challenges, as he has remained faithfully by her side.

Earlier in her working years, Marlene was employed at Butler Memorial Hospital and Spang Inc. After her children graduated high school, she returned to the workforce, eventually working at Old Country Buffet in Butler, where she was the community representative and loved visiting with the customers until its closing. She subsequently returned to homemaking.

In her teenage years, Marlene was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America (CD of A) Drum & Bugle Corps, where she participated in numerous parades and competitions. One of her memorable experiences was playing taps from the high balcony of the Butler County Courthouse during a parade.

Marlene was an outgoing person who loved cooking and baking for others. Her family enjoyed the many delicious meals and baked goods she lovingly prepared. Each year, she tended the family garden, preserving its harvest by canning vegetables and making homemade jellies and jams.

She developed a love of sewing at a young age and would sew her children’s clothing for the first few years of their lives. Her love of sewing transitioned into a lifelong passion for quilting, starting in her 20s. She generously shared her talent with others, volunteering in the Exhibitor's Barn at the Butler Farm Show for many years, where visitors could watch her quilting. She also quilted with the Unionville Presbyterian Church Quilters in Butler and at the Levy County Quilt Museum in Florida.

Marlene also had a love for music and singing. She sang in her church choir for many years, and her love of singing wasn’t limited to the church sanctuary. She could often be heard singing as she drove down the road. In her 50s, Marlene learned sign language and occasionally signed during church services, sharing her love of music and worship in another meaningful way.

Marlene was a member and regular attendee of Community Alliance Church in Butler for many years. Following her marriage to Bill in 2007, they attended Christ Outreach Church in Butler together, where she continued to share in her faith and worship.

Marlene had a special love for her dogs and cherished every dog she had throughout her life. Her beloved Daisy remained faithfully by her side through her recent health challenges, providing constant companionship and comfort.

Marlene is survived by her loving husband, William “Bill” Welter; her daughters, Tracy (Stephen) Leslie and Victoria (Shawn) Voynick; her granddaughters, Brooke Weisenstein and Hope Weisenstein; her siblings, Lorraine (Tom) Barclay, Ronald (Sylvia) Wulff, Patty (Ken) Lesnik and Paul (Cindy) Wulff; her stepdaughters, Laura (Ernie) Welter, Melissa (Ted) Cogley and Robyn (Kevin) Benninger; her stepgrandchildren, Cody (Jessica) Welter, Dominic Welter, Ashley Cancilla, Violet Cogley, Andrew Cogley, Jacob Benninger and Ava Benninger; two great-grandchildren; and her lifelong best friend, Patricia Barton; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Dorothy (Grant) Wulff; and her first husband, Blair Weitzel.

WELTER — Friends of Marlene (Wulff) Welter, who died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dave West, pastor of GraceWay Community Church of Butler, officiating.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Welter’s name may be made to the Chicora Fire Department, P.O. Box F, Chicora, PA 16025.

To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.