John Alan Welch, 76, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 29 at 12:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home with Sammy Campbell officiating. Inurnment will be private.
John was born November 5, 1947 in Wilmington, Delaware, son of the late Irvin Highland and Hazel Marie Caulk Welch.
He graduated from Philadelphia College of Textile & Science in 1970. John worked at Avtex Fibers as Department Head for 19 years and owned and operated Welch’s Cleaning Service for over 25 years.
He coached several years for T-Ball, Little League, Babe Ruth, and Midget Football. He was a past president of Babe Ruth and the Warren County Boosters Club. John was a past Board of Directors member for the Front Royal Credit Union. He took great pride in his lawn and the 2006 Beautification of Front Royal Committee Award he earned. John loved to garden and would bless others with his harvest.
John’s greatest joys in life were his family and his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Surviving is his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Welch; one son, John “Mickey” Welch and wife Lisa of Nashville, Tennessee; two daughters, Diane Santmyers and husband Donald Santmyers, Jr. of Front Royal and Karen Williams and husband Jared of Front Royal; one sister, Christine Welch of Herndon; one brother, Robert Irvin Welch and wife Denese of Jamestown, North Carolina; and six grandchildren whom he deeply loved, Kacey Stives, Ethan Welch, Kiersten Stives, Kaitlyn Welch, Ryan Williams, and Gage Williams.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 29 from 11:00 a.m.-12 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.
To the Welch family, our deepest condolences to you for the passing of your husband and father. May your memories bring you comfort and God’s love bring you peace.
My love and deepest sympathy to the Welch family. I have been blessed to have John and Mary Ellen as my friends for many years and hold them in high regard for their loving kindnesses to so many. Abundant blessings to all of the family at this most sorrowful time.
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of John. My heart aches for Mary Ellen, Diane, Karen and Mickey. May wonderful memories ease your pain. My family and I originally met John & Marty Ellen as neighbors, and before long became friends. There are many good memories of laughter and stories over the years. I have fond memories of John’s laughter, reminiscing of past stories, events.
John you will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Welch Family. John was a good man and he is missed.
Karen, I’m so sorry about your father’s passing.
I always remember him as such a kind and happy man.