Richard Welch

  Richard L. Welch, 84, has gone on his final adventure.  He passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 in Charlevoix.

  He was born on October 13, 1934 in Goodrich, Michigan, the son of Clifford and Mabel (Slade) Welch.  Richard was known to his family and friends as “Dick”.   He grew up on the farm in Goodrich.  He was always active in some sport. He graduated at Goodrich High School in 1953.

  On April 26, 1957, in Fenton, Michigan, he married Louise Ann Bretzke.

   Dick had worked as an experimental aircraft mechanic and later as a machine repairman for General Motors.

  Some of his favorite activities were softball, bowling and golf.  He also enjoyed woodworking, fishing and hunting.  Dick always loved to read.  Books were never far from his side.  Dick loved traveling with Louise.  They traveled to Italy and Hawaii.  They would take their daughters on trips when they were little.  Sometimes they’d travel out east and long trips out West.  Up North was his favorite.  Lake Michigan and Lake Superior had a special place in his heart.  He was always up for a good adventure even as late as last January of this year before he had his first stroke.  Even then, he enjoyed going to the store.  As long as he was with Louise, he was content.

  He enjoyed building things!  There was always a project, at the farm, Turtle Lake or any fix it job that needed to be done at his daughter’s houses.  He enjoyed life!  He loved to tell stories. It was fun sitting around the table and listening to him talk with the family.

  He leaves behind his dear wife of 62 years Louise Ann Welch; four daughters, Pamela Ruth (Art) Robinson of Boyne City, Julie Ann (Dale) Schober of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jacqueline Margaret Gulick of East Jordan and Penny (Rev. Robert) Balmer of Columbia, South Carolina; and seven grandchildren, Chris Robinson, Ben (Alta) Robinson, Anthony (Lilly) Schober, Ashley (Hunter) Schober, Mychal Gulick, Joshua Balmer and Kathleen Balmer.

  Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019, at 2:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan with interment following at Mt. Bliss Cemetery, East Jordan.  The family will receive friends on Friday from 1:00 P.M. until service time. 

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