John V. Welch's Obituary
John Verhine Welch, “Babe,” 84, a WWII veteran, passed away at Sunrise Assisted Living in Gurnee, IL , Wednesday, April 6, after suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Born and reared in Memphis, the son of Ben C. and Helen Welch, he was a lifelong Memphian. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ben C. Welch, Jr., and his wife, Jane Cromwell Welch. Mr. Welch leaves his three children: Michele and her husband John of Statesboro, Ga.; Patsy Welch and her husband John Wylie of Grayslake, IL; and Carl and his wife Judy of Hernando, MS. His grandchildren include Shane Welch of Great Lakes Naval Base; Jessica Barton Castle of Decatur, Ga. ; Bryan Barton of Atlanta; and Ellis Wylie of Grayslake, Illinois. He also has four great-grandchildren; Patsy and Josh Cartee and Lily Kate and Crance Castle of Decatur. John Welch was an avid sportsman and athlete in individual and team competition. At Central High School in Memphis, he played football and was a Golden Gloves champion. At University of Miami he played football and was on the diving and field and track teams. Later he became an accomplished golfer and a wicked tennis player. John Welch was a long time cotton broker in Welch Cotton Company with a seat on the Memphis Cotton Exchange. For his family and friends, John Welch will be remembered as a kind-hearted gentleman who lived his life with joy and gusto. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until service time at 2:30 Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Memorial Park Funeral. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, TN. The family request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.
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