Kenneth Welch

Kenneth LeRoy Welch, age 85 of Shelbyville IN formerly of St. Johns, MI passed away peacefully on March 29, 2021 at home surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be held at the St. Johns Lutheran Church, St. Johns, MI on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Jim Pearl officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 5, 2021 from 4-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.

Ken was born in St. Johns, MI on December 3, 1935, the son of Lloyd and Leah (Stevens) Welch. He was a 1954 graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School. He worked at Story Oldsmobile for a short time before proudly serving his country in the United States Army. After returning home he furthered his education in the accounting field and started working at the Michigan Medical Society where he worked for five years. He then began working at the Union Building at Michigan State University where he worked for 11 years, finishing his 25 year career with MSU in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resource Building as the head accountant of the finance department before retiring in 1989.

In true Ken style he continued to work to keep himself busy, he was a courier for the Clinton County Bank, custodian for the St. Johns Lutheran Church (he really liked that job), worked at the Dairy Barn and Uncle Johns Cider Mill in the Pie Barn.

Ken met his soul mate Maryann on a blind date on August 7, 1965, he asked her to marry him on September 11, 1965 and they were married January 22, 1966 in Columbus, OH. He said for him it was love at first sight, they were married for 55 years. Together they raised three children, kept a beautiful home, had many fun family vacations, and loved traveling with friends.

He enjoyed their Florida home for many years, playing pool and shuffle board with the guys; he loved to compete with his buddies! Miniature golf was always a special time saved for when the grand kids came.

Ken was a very loyal servant to the Lord and wanted to serve him well. Ken and Maryann were very involved in their church (St. Johns Lutheran) and for many years hosted the annual Christmas Eve Party at their home. He was a church elder, Sunday school teacher, on the committee for the new front window, Vice President of the congregation for one year, and he was in the choir; Ken had a beautiful singing voice. He was also a member of the St. Peters Lutheran Church, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Shelbyville IN.

He loved working in his flower beds and took great pride in his gardens. He was known as “Mr. Perfect”.

Ken loved his family first and foremost, always watching over Maryann. He and Maryann were very involved with their kids swimming activities and school events. But it’s the grandchildren who had won his heart over the past 20 years. He loved his family more than anything and taught them unconditional love, bad jokes, lots of laughter and an amazing strength that he didn’t know he had.

Ken is survived by his wife and best friend, Maryann (Shockey) Welch, his children, son Steven Welch (Jennifer), daughters: Elizabeth Goodman (Michael), Christine Brammer (Brian), his granddaughter Katie Brammer, grandsons: Jack Brammer, Justin Goodman, Kenny (Kenneth Leroy) Welch, his sister Carol (Welch) Andrus (Darrell) and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and brother, Lloyd “Bud” Welch and his mother-in-law Marion Shockey.

Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church, 511 East Strugis Street, St. Johns, MI, 48879 or St. Marks Lutheran Church, 1560 North Michigan Ave. Shelbyville, IN 46176.  Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.