James Welch

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Mr. James Lee Welch of South Bend, Ind., 90, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012.  

Funeral services were held noon Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 at Alford's Mortuary.
Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery.
Alford's Mortuary of South Bend, Ind. was in charge of arrangements.

James's life began on March 31, 1922 when he was born to Jeff and Lillie (Ross) Welch in Maben. 

James was a World War II Veteran and was honorably discharged from the United States Army on Sept. 20, 1945 after faithfully serving his country three and a half years. After his discharge from the Army, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he lived until 1946, at which time he relocated to South Bend, Ind.

His employment career included Raco Manufacturing Company where he retired from in 1982 as a machinist. For 50 years, he was a self-employed contractor. Mr. Welch would purchase homes, refurbish and sell the homes.

His varied hobbies encompassed antiques, gardening, raising a community garden, and buying and tinkering with old things to simply repair them. He loved pricy cars, traveling and animals. He was noted for breeding dogs, especially dachshunds.

Mr. Welch is survived by his family of one daughter, Marilyn Welch-Gachaw of South Bend, Ind.; sons, James Lee (Deborah) Welch Jr. of South Bend, Ind. and Alvin Lewis (Wanica) Welch of Phoenix, Ariz.; nine grandchildren, Trina Welch (Adam) Detwiler, Corey Welch, Victoria Welch-Willis, Timothy Welch, Gabra Gachaw IV,  Ameka Welch, Darisha (Steve Guy Jr.), Heather Husband and Melissa Simbeck; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff and Lillie Welch; a daughter, Vickie Lee Welch; and one brother, Fred Welch.

Messages of condolence may be emailed to alfordsmortuary@att.net [1], c/o the Welch family.