Ed Welch, 87

Edward J. “Ed” Welch, age 87, of Sturgis, and formerly of Griffith, Ind., passed away Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011.

Ed was the founder of Welch’s Stop-N-Shop in Griffith and St. John. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council, and the Griffith VFW. He a former member of the Griffith Chamber of Commerce and the Griffith Fire Dept. Ed was also a World War II Army veteran.

He is survived by his children, Kathleen Hoffman of St. John, Peggy (Dick) Schilling of St. John, Ind., Terrie (Gary) McDonald of Sturgis, Patty (Charlie) Watt of Cedar Lake, Ind., Julie (George) Mercer of White Pigeon, John Welch of Florida and Lori (Bob) Rastovski of Florida; a daughter-in-law, Jeanette Welch of St. John; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brothers Leo (Helen) Welch of Florida, Tom (June) Welch of Griffith and Dick (Shirley) Welch of Griffith; sisters Dorothy (Leonard) Fiegle of Griffith, Rita Mount of Griffith and Janet (Danny) Boltz of Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Therese, in 1999; a son David; a grandson, Joseph McDonald; two brothers, William and John; a son-in-law, Charles Hoffman; and by his brother-in-law, Paul Mount.

Friends may meet with the family from 3-8 p.m. Sunday at White Funeral Home, 921 W. 45th Ave., Griffith. There will be an afternoon wake service at 3:30pm.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad St., Griffith, Ind., with Fr. Theodore Mens celebrating. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Shrine of Christ Passion in St. John, Ind. For information, call White Funeral Home at (219) 924-4100.