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. The inurnment will be private.
John was born November 5, 1947, in Wilmington, Delaware, the 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 for 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 at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.