LEXINGTON: To know Dick Welch was to know a man of many talents. An outgoing and social man with a friendly sense of humor and green thumb, Dick was a skilled woodworker and handyman, who would surprise you with his eye for delicate beauty and detail in his quilting and sewing. Described as a Renaissance man, Dick spent most of his time in service to others and will be remembered for his unconditional love to his family and to those in his circle of influence.
Dick passed away Sunday evening Feb. 1, 2015 in Hospice of North Central Ohio in Ashland. He was 87.
Born Dec. 23, 1927 in Lexington to Theodore and Mary (Williams) Welch, he was graduated from Lexington High School in 1945 and remained a lifelong area resident. After serving with the US Army with occupational forces in Osaka, Japan, Dick worked over 43 years with Therm-O-Disc retiring as Plant Maintenance Supervisor. His acquired skill sets allowed him to “build or fix anything.”
He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and formerly served on church council. A member of Mansfield Lodge #35 F&AM, he was also a member of Scottish Rite, the Mansfield Men’s Garden Club and the St. John’s Lunch Bunch.
Big Papa (as his great grandchildren call him) poured himself into handmade gifts for his family. His wooden toy trucks and blocks or sewn aprons and quilts were Christmas gifts for the whole family. His two events: July 4th Hay Ride and December 23rd Birthday & Anniversary Party were not to be missed.
After the passing of his beloved wife Mabel, Dick pursued her passion of quilting. He pieced quilt tops for Snuggled in Hope, a charity that provides quilts for Flying Horse Farm. They provide respite care camp weeks for ill children.
He is survived by his children Rick & Cindy Welch of Lexington, Tom & Nancy Welch of Worthington, and Susan Welch of Westlake; grandchildren Tom & Evelyn Welch of Brunswick, Beth Welch and Rick Welch both of Columbus, Jim & Elissa Welch of Minneapolis, MN and Stephanie & Marc Behringer of Carmel, IN; great grandchildren Andrew Behringer, Alexandria Behringer, Michael Behringer, Matthew Behringer, Katherine Behringer, Madelyn Welch, Thomas Welch and Cynthia Welch; brother and sister-in-law Loren & Carol Welch of Lexington; sisters-in-law Ruth Ann Welch of Mansfield and Theresa Ernsberger of Deltona, FL; cherished friends William & Liz Szeto of McKinney, TX and their children Jonathan & Tina Szeto and Alex Szeto all of Dallas, TX and Stephen Szeto of San Francisco, CA; dear friends and quilting coach Kyle & Dale Huvler of Lexington; and numerous nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by his wife Mabel Alice (Zirkel) Welch on December 27, 2008. Also deceased are his brother Frank Milton Welch and brothers-in-law Valentine Zirkel and William Zirkel; and sisters-in-law Anna Shaffer, Elizabeth Ball, Christine Hardin and Helen Clark.
The Welch family will receive friends Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Revs. Faith Proietti and Jared Ruark will officiate. Military honors will be held on the grounds of the funeral home and burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory to Snuggled in Hope Quilts may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Welch Family and invites you to send them a message of sympathy or support at SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
