Arthur Marion Welch
Mr. Arthur Marion Welch, age 93, of 4996 Highway 421 North, Vilas, died Saturday, September 11, 2010, at his home.Mr. Welch was born July 8, 1917 in Watauga County, a son of the late Charles Edward Welch and Maggie Baird Welch. He was a retired carpenter and served in the United States Army during World War II.Mr. Welch is survived by two daughters, Pat Welch Townsend and husband J.B. of Boone, and Jeanette Welch Johnson and husband Hughie of Boone; two sons, Charles "Eddie" Welch and wife Betty of Boone, and William David Welch and wife Marilyn of Zionville; six grandchildren, Anita T. Eller of Deep Gap, Eric Townsend of Boone, Kevin Johnson and wife Rita of Hudson, Brian Johnson and wife Veronica of Boone, Linda Welch Ricker and husband Pastor David Ricker of Boone, and Christopher Welch and wife Kayla of Beaver Dam; fifteen great-grandchildren, Katie, Kenzie, and Kassie Eller, and Konner Murphy, all of Deep Gap, Hadlie Nichols of Lenoir, Jennifer, Brooke, and Brock Johnson, all of Hudson, Sophie Johnson of Boone, Blake, Brittney, Ben, and Brett Ricker, all of Boone, Taylor and Treythan Welch, both of Beaver Dam; three step-grandchildren, David Johnson and wife Carla of Boone, Kim Johnson of Boone, Loretta Denny and husband Matthew of Boone; and three step great- grandchildren, Amelia Johnson, Zane Johnson, and Isaiah Denny, all of Boone,and two special caregivers, Nora Chapman, and Kim Harmon.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Townsend Welch; three sisters, Elsie Welch Townsend, Delcie Welch Moretz, and Della Welch Handy; four brothers, Clifford E. Welch, H. Lester Welch, Bynum E. Welch, and Fred E. Welch, and eight half-brothers and sisters.Funeral services for Mr. Arthur Marion Welch will be conducted Monday afternoon, September 13, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., at Holy Communion Lutheran Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. Officiating will be Dr. Larry Campbell and Reverand David Ricker. Military graveside rites and burial will follow in the Holy Communion Lutheran Church Cemetery.The family will recieve friends Monday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m., at the church, prior to the service.Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Communion Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, in care of J.B. Towsend, 1159-1, Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607 or to High Country Healthcare System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or at www.highcountryhospice.org.Online condolences may be sent to the Welch Family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.Hampton Funeral and Cremation service is in charge of the arrangements.