Michael John Welch

SUN CITY WEST - Michael John Welch passed on to the Lord on July 30, 2016 while in his loving daughter, Jennifer's, arms, in Richland,Wash., where he had been in hospice care with her and son-in-law, Steve. He had just recently entered hospice at the end of June, and Jennifer and Mike had made the wonderful journey, including a stop in Utah, to see his daughter, Kathy, before finally reaching Washington for the last three weeks of his life. Michael was born on July 1, 1933, in Davenport, Iowa, to the late William Archibald Welch and Josephine "Peggy" Welch. He graduated from Sacred Heart Middle School and Davenport High School in 1953. He was not only a devoted husband but, father. From his first marriage in 1955 to Pat Welch, currently of Davenport Iowa, he fathered his two sons, Michael and Steven Welch. On Dec. 14, 1968 he married his best friend and forever loved and was devoted to, Linda Kay (Ott) Welch, and fathered his youngest daughter, Jennifer. Michael started working for his father, Archie, at the young age of 13 at Forest Hill Service, an independent gas station, in Moline, Ill. He was forever proud of his Irish heritage, but even more the relation to Illinois Oil Company. Mike had several service stations over the years, but Forest Hill, or "WHY PAY MORE" as it was commonly known, was his pride and joy. While living in the Quad Cities, as it was known, he was an active member of the Illinois Oil Men's Club. He was a charter member to All Saints Lutheran church. Michael also supported Saint Katherine's School, Saint Mark's School and Davenport Junior Theater. During the summer of 1995, Mike and Linda made the move to Sun City West, and Mike was finally able to retire. Mike was able to continue many passions he had, including racquetball, golf, tennis and adding to the list was Senior Softball. As years went by, some of Mike's siblings moved to Sun City West as well, and he was able to watch and play ball with his brothers, Frank and Bill Welch. He made some of the most dear and lifelong friends. If you knew Michael, you had a friend for life. He would do anything for you. The expression of "giving you the shirt off his back" fit him to a T. He traveled to Hawaii, Ireland, Canada and Mexico; read scripture; and prayed every day. Mostly he wanted people to be happy. His sense of humor and smile were infectious. Michael is survived by his children, Michael, of Moline, Ill., Steven, of Southampton, N.Y., Kathleen Welch, of Riverton, Utah, and Jennifer Welch, of Richland Wash.; grandchildren, Shawn and Ashley Welch, Chad Tipsword, Melissa Merrill, Richie Smith, Megan and Amanda Ausink; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Zaida and Blade Welch, Cayson and May Lee Briggs. Michael is also survived by his siblings, Frank and Ginger Welch, Mary and Fred Peters, Sally and Don McKenzie, Bill and Lucy Welch and John and Sue Murphy. Funeral services for Michael John Welch will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 at Lord of Life Church in Sun City West. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow.