Obituary of James Welch

James Willis Welch October 29, 1935 - November 8, 2007 Jim Welch passed from this world on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 8:05pm. He was a patient of Select Specialty Hospital at Oakwood Heritage. Jim had been hospitalized since August 31. Friends may gather at the Merkle Funeral Home, 2442 North Monroe Street, Frenchtown Township from 2-8pm on Sunday, November 11, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Monday also at the Merkle Funeral Home with the Rev. Von Loop of Frenchtown Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession and Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle. Jim was born on October 29, 1935 in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee. He was the son of Sillas W. and Ethel E. (Smith) Welch. Jim worked as a meat-cutter for most of his life. He began at the Hi-Lite Store while doing a co-op for Monroe High School from which he graduated in 1955. On November 7, 1959 he married Linda Betz at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church. Before retiring in 2003 Jim had worked for several stores including Meijers in Toledo. Jim was a people person who loved to converse with others and to tell a good joke. Many conversations with his family centered around his love for his customers and his ability to help them. Jim loved pheasant, squirrel, turkey, and small game hunting, and camping. He was a constant fixture at many Wild Game Dinners over the years. Jim was also active with the Boy Scout Troop 529, LaSalle, Michigan. He served on many committees and oversaw both of his sons as they achieved Eagle Scout status. Many summers were spent in Big Rapids at the family cabin. Here he enjoyed making maple syrup and feeding the birds. "Poppa" will be sadly missed by all of his grandchildren. He is survived by a loving family including: his wife: Linda of Monroe; three children: Keith J. and Pati Welch of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Bryan L. Welch of Davison, Michigan, and Tracey L. and Michael McMullen of Monroe, Michigan; four grandchildren: Jacob M. and his fiancé Stacey Stropich, Lindsey M. and fiancé Nick Empie both of Kalamazoo, James M. McMullen, and Sean M. McMullen both of Monroe and a beloved Springer Spaniel, Buddy. Memorial Contributions are suggested to Boy Scout Troop 579 or the American Diabetes Association.