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July 29, 1939-July 9, 2024

 

Donald Allen Welch, Sr., age 84 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, grandfather, brother, honorable veteran, tool & die maker, and comedian died peacefully at 9:42 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital — Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on July 29, 1939 in Niles to John and Helen (Janke) Welch, and was graduated from Niles High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy, and served as a Torpedoman’s Mate on the destroyer, USS Brush, deployed to the western Pacific Ocean to escort aircraft carriers. He completed four years of obligation, and was Honorably Discharged. After returning to Niles, he was first employed at the former S&S Supermarket in Buchanan, and then was employed for many years at the former Buchanan Steel. He completed his career in tool & die at the former Niles plant of Delta Industrial Valves. He has lived in Niles all of his life.

Don was a member of the American Legion, and had formerly attended the Edwardsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church. He enjoyed fishing in area lakes, and local deer hunting. He was well-known for his sense of humor, always having a joke to tell, or an amusing response to whatever was happening wherever he was at. His greatest interest was his family.

On Sept. 5, 1964 in Buchanan he married the former Dixie Sue Bailey, who was the love of his life. They celebrated last year the remarkable Fifty-nineth Anniversary of their wedding. They were sadly preceded in death by their 28-year-old son, Donnie, Jr., who died on October 25, 1995.

Surviving family includes his wife, Dixie Welch; a granddaughter, Tamisha Carroll (& Lavonta Henry); great-grandchildren, Heaven Lou Carroll and Yamari Allen Carroll; an “extra” daughter, Donna Knight, adopted by love; and Don’s siblings, Karen (& Virjilio) Echevarria of Niles, and Ron Blevins of Niles, and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Don Welch, Sr. will gather privately to honor his life and share memories. Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Don lived a long, full life, serving his country in the military, and serving his community as a faithful and productive employee. More important was his love for the people in his life. Even after the devastation of the death of a child, he continued to love his grandchild and her family; finding enough love for an extra daughter; and above all, his love for Dixie.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Allen Welch, Sr., please visit our flower store.