AMBOY — Every year, A.C.O. – Friends of the Library have offered families a chance to honor someone by naming the street to the north of Main Street for one year. The amount raised from this bidding event goes directly to the Pankhurst Memorial Library. This year’s dedication is to Bob and Mary Welty.

Bob and Mary Welty were great supporters of the Amboy Community. Bob graduated from Amboy High School and Mary from Dixon High School.

Bob owned Welty Grain and Lumber of Harmon for many year, as well as being a veteran of World War II, serving in the Air Force.

Mary was best known for her musical abilities. She was choir director for many years at the First Baptist Church in Dixon, and in later years, as the musical coordinator for the Kiddie Clippers of Amboy. Writing many songs herself for the children to perform.

They were the parents of Sandy Anderson of Henry, Sherry (Gordon) Koch and Nancy Willahan, both of Amboy, and Bob Welty, of Polo. They also have 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Family was their number one priority. They would be very proud seeing their names on the street sign in Amboy.

Sherry Koch and Nancy Willahan hold up a photo of their parents, Bob and Mary Welty. Bob and Mary Welty were honored in having a street named for them after their family secured the winning bid of the annual A.C.O. Name a Street event.

Tonja Greenfield/Amboy News