Samuel L. Welch

Samuel Lewis Welch, 89, of McKenney, Va., died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009.

He was born in Mason County, W.V., the son of the late Arleigh J. and Elizabeth Meadows Welch.

Mr. Welch was retired from the U.S. Army as a sergeant first class, and was a veteran of WWII and the post-Korean War.

Since his retirement, Mr. Welch resided in the McKenney and DeWitt, Va. area. He also lived in the Mason County, W.V. area several years prior to his mother passing in 1990. He then returned to McKenney to live, where he enjoyed going to auction and estate sales and having his own yard sales. He was a life member of American Legion Post No. 0023 of Point Pleasant, W.V.

Mr. Welch was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma H. Welch; sister, Marie W. Lewis and her husband, Simpson; and brother in law, Lawrence Wright. He is survived by his sons, Gary C. Welch and wife, Sue, and Samuel J. Welch; daughters, Dolores Ray, Sarah Kunerth and husband, Duke, Marie Welch, Betty Shultz and husband, Matt, and Bert Porter and husband, George; brother, Arleigh J. Welch and wife, Faye; sister, Julia W. Wright; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; godson, Kevin Keen; special sister and caretaker, Patricia Lewis; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins, as well as sisters and brothers-in-law from his late wife's family who have always been so committed in attending the many family celebrations over the years.

The family will receive friends at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Rocky Run United Methodist Church Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rocky Run United Methodist Church, DeWitt, VA 23840 or American Legion Post No. 0023, P.O. Box 209, Pt. Pleasant, WV 25550. Condolences to the family may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.