Herbert T. Welch

Herbert T. Welch 81 of Cedar Springs, died Monday, July 9, 2012 at Porter Hills Retirement Village. Mr. Welch was born July 27, 1930 in Florence, SC the son of Reuben and Clara (Gardner) Welch. He graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1947 and Furman University in Greenville, SC in 1951. He then entered the USAF in 1951 and went through Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 1st Lt, he was stationed in Missouri, Texas, Michigan and Canada. Herb met Mary Sue Stegmier in Grand Rapids, MI and one year later in 1953 they were married. In 1957 he was discharged from the service and began teaching English at Cedar Springs High School. He received a Masters of Arts degree from MSU in 1959. He retired from teaching in 1992. He was a member of the following organizations: Cedar Springs United Methodist Church and Choir, Cedar Springs City Council, Cedar Springs Board of Education, Cedar Springs Educational Foundation, Cedar Springs Community Players (where he acted and also directed many productions). He also worked with physically challenged people in the church and taught drivers education. One of Herb’s special loves was planning trips to the Shakespeare Festival Theatre in Stratford, Canada to see plays. He organized two each year for a total of 80 trips. Surviving are his children, Michael Welch, Sarah (Terry) Holtrop, Jane (Nick) Saladino; grandchildren, Jenna and Brian Saladino, Luke, Jacob and Molly Holtrop; sister, Elizabeth Luhrs; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack (Pat) Stegmeier, Bob (Gail) Stegmier, Floretta Stegmier, Marilyn Lyngklip; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary Sue in 2009; son, David Timothy in 1982. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be held Thursday 11:00 am at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church. Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Springs Educational Foundation.