Laurel R. King, 77, of West Salem, OH died on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Life Care Center in Medina.
She was born on December 14, 1948, in Wooster to Quentin and Gloria Ash Welty.
Laurel was married to Gerry King on May 29, 1999, and they were members of St. Stephen Church in West Salem.
She worked in retail most of her career and was primarily a stay-at-home mom. She was a member of the Doll Club, was an avid cross-stitcher, enjoyed traveling, and spending time in the outdoors and with her family.
Laurel is survived by her son Andrew (April) Coleman of Wooster; step-daughter Sarah (Tim) Foster of Woodland, PA; step-son Hugh King of Woodland, PA; grandchildren Abby Coleman, Aiden Coleman; step-grandchild Evan Foster; and great-grandchildren Everleigh and Vivian Cerjan; sister Sharon (Mike Euga) Sutton of Martinsburg, W.V.; brothers Dana Welty of Boulder, CO and Russ (Deb) Welty of Franklin, TN; brothers and sisters-in-law Linda King, Tim (Kathy) King, Ronnie Whalen, Peggy (Randy Neumann) King, Sandy King, Brian (Sue) King, Kevin (Christy) King, Noreen (Don) Hone; Wayne Wightman, and David (Sue Wilhelm) King.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandchild Alexis Coleman and brothers and sisters in law Tom King, Tom Whalen, Dennis King, Rhea Wightman and mother and father-in-law Eileen and Robert King.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster with Fr. Neil Walters officiating. Interment will follow at Apple Creek Cemetery.
Friends will be received one hour prior to the service at the church.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Online condolences may be left at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I graduated with Laurel from Wooster high school. She was a wonderful lady. I often wondered where she was at. She was a dear friend to many. To her I was Sue one of the Foster twins. My condolences to her family and friends..May you have peace and comfort during this time. She will be greatly missed.
So sorry for the family’s loss. She was a classmate at Wooster High School. I remember her always smiling and friendly. Peace to the family.
Sara (Nolt) Barstow
I didn’t know Laurel personally, but I knew her through correspondence with Gerry King, her husband. Gerry and I were friends in the US Army in the early 1970’s. From Gerry’s letters, I know that Laurel was deeply loved and what more can any of us ask for in life. RIP Laurel, long live Gerry and the family.
I observed Laurel and Gerry before we met at Cinnamon Lake a couple of years ago. I walked around the lake nearly every day and often passed by this graceful, hand-holding couple walking to the mailboxes and home. We exchanged smiles and short greetings until I simply had to meet this extraordinary couple. Respect and admiration soon became a lovely friendship. Laurel was beautiful, inside and out. She and Gerry made such a delightful and generous couple. I’m selfishly sad that I won’t be seeing her as I hobble around the block now. I’m sad for Gerry, who took such great care of Laurel. But how wonderful to know that Laurel is in the presence of God, who created her, loved her, and loves her still!
Andy, condolences to you and your family.
Gerry my heart hurts for you losing the love of your life is something no one is ever ready for.
The love you and she shared was really deep and inspiring.
The kind of love people hope to find. I hope that remembering how much she loved you brings you strentgh in the days ahead.
Laurel and I graduated from Wooster High School together but we go way back as we both went to grade school at Grant St together too!
May God put his loving arms around you and give you peace!
Gerry: So sorry to hear of Laurel’s passing. I lay claim to be your CUPID and know you will miss her terribly.