Matthew Welsford, Jr.

Matthew R. "Matt" Welsford, Jr. age 90 of Ithaca, MI, passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Woodland Hospice House, Mt. Pleasant, MI

A Private Graveside Service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI.

Matthew was born in Saginaw, Michigan on March 5, 1928, the son of Matthew R. and Gretta (Church) Welsford.  Matt was a lifelong farmer, a former Gratiot County Sheriff Department deputy and retired from the State of Iowa.  Matt served his country in the United States Army.  He was a Life Member and 32nd Degree Mason of the Masonic Lodge F&AM # 123, Ithaca and Consistory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa also the El Kahir Shrine in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Matt was a talented woodworker and made many things for family, children and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Pam and Terry Wescott of Muskegon, MI; daughter Bonnie and Lenny Pierce of Muskegon, MI; daughter Roxanne Welsford of Muskegon, MI; daughter Rhonda Duplessis of Ithaca, MI; son John Welsford and Patty Throop of Fruitport, MI.  He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  Matt is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Berdella Deitrich.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60707. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.