Laura A. (Ratledge) Welbourne

Laura A. (Ratledge) Welbourne, 69, Pekin Il  passed away December 28, 2023 at Carle Health Hospital in Peo, Il with her loving family at her side.  She was born April 7^th, 1954 in Pekin Il to Lawrence E. (Gene) Ratledge and Verna D. (Gosnell) Ratledge. She married William (Bill) D. Welbourne Jr on December 26^th, 1994,  She went to Pekin Community High School and was involved with the Jobs Daughters of Pekin.  She worked for many years in her father's restaurants, Angelos and The Marigold Family Restaurant, was a professional photographer,  and Owner/Operator of Welbourne Builders along with her husband, Bill. 

She is survived by her husband Bill, daughters Melissa (Mandy) and (Angela) Kampen, McKenzie Welbourne, and sons Billy (Jen) Welbourne, Christopher (Jessica) Welbourne, and Zegan Welbourne.  Also surviving are sisters Karen Zimmerman, Christie Campbell, and Michelle Ratledge along with many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren extended family and friends who she loved dearly. 

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Oda and Dorothy Gosnell, James and Mary Ratledge, her sister Dorothy E. (Beth) Ratledge, brother Lawrence (Larry) E. Ratledge II,  and two infant sons. 

She enjoyed many adventures including traveling across the country when she was young, reading, painting, playing video games, live music, decorating for the holidays, but most of all she enjoyed hosting family holiday dinners including the annual family Easter Egg Hunt, and cooking for all of her family and friends.  Laura believed in staying current with news and politics and advocated for all to vote.

Her wishes were to donate her body to science which was honored through Lamplight Donor Services of Chicago IL.  A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date.