Traverse City, Michigan
TRAVERSE CITY — Joseph David Welburn, 20, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend, left us on April 24, 2010, after a tragic automobile accident.
Joe graduated in 2008 from Traverse City High School. He was a proud drummer in the Traverse City West Marching Band and loved listening to Led Zepplin and attending music festivals. He also loved being outdoors, skiing or playing frisbee golf and wearing his trademark bandana. As his many friends have commented, Joe always made people smile and laugh, and being around him "put everyone in a good mood." Joe said that making others happy made him happy.
Joe leaves behind his parents, Anne and John Welburn and brother, Brian, of Traverse City; sister, Jessica (Ryan) Geetings of Abilene, Texas; brother, Richard (Alexia) Ruelas of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandmother, Connie Kinner of Avon, Ohio; grandparents, Dan and Polly Welburn and Vern and Holli Kinner of Traverse City; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and special nephew, Aiden and niece, Addison Geetings.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, at Bay Pointe Community Church, 6688 Secor Road, Traverse City.
The family will receive friends this evening, April 27, from 5 to 8 p.m.at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Traverse City West Marching Band or to Joseph Welburn Memorial Fund for youth charity, care of the Traverse City State Bank, P.O. Box 192, Traverse City, MI 49685.
Of the many things his friends have said, this sums it up the best: "Joe, you always knew how to make people smile, and your amazing personality, beautiful soul, and exciting take on life will be missed."
Please share thoughts with the family at Joe's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
Anne and John,
I just heard of your terrible loss. My prayers will be with you every day. Although we have not spent time together in recent years, I know that Joe was a lucky young man to belong to a very loving family. He was blessed to have you for parents, and you were blessed to have him as your son. Hugs and blessings, Martha Gleason Schurr Jocis
May 17, 2010
Anne~
My heart and love extends to you and your family at this very difficult time. I cannot begin to say I understand your grief at the loss of your son, but as a mother, my heart aches for you. All I want to do is fill your heart with compassion, love and mostly peace. My prayers are with you now and in the future as always.
~Jillena Kellogg
P.S. Alex was greatly touched by you and your husband as you shared with the students of Forest Area High the loss of your son. Alex...
May 07, 2010
John, Anne, and family,
Annie and I are truly speechless with your loss. I sit here trying to compose the "right thing to say." There really isn't one, so I will simply say, we are here. Please call with anything we can do.
I will close by saying that you folks put together the most touching and personalized ceremony I have ever been attended. In all your grief, the people who loved Joe the most, found the strength to put together a fitting, personalized tribute to an...
Marvin Nordeen
May 01, 2010
Joe, you were a great person. You honestly made a difference in my life. I loved being in drumline with you and band as well. I remember all our long talks and the jokes of course in band class every day. You were one of the very happiest people I know. You taught me that life is worth having fun and not meant to be wasted worrying. If you don't like what your doing, make it fun, you always showed me that. This world has lost an amazing person. I will never forget you. Thank you for...
Kelsey Kuhn
April 28, 2010 | Traverse City, MI
John and Anne & Family we didn't know Joe but with the wonderful mother that he has we are sure that he was a wonderful young man he will be missed.we can't even imagine what you must be going through we are sorry for your loss. May Joe rest in peace. We are if you need us.
Nelson,Sherry,Stacy,Cody Kneip
April 27, 2010 | Fife Lake, MI
My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of lose. I knew his mother and she talked about him all the time. Joe will be greatly missed.
Megan Monks
April 27, 2010 | Big Rapids, MI
Joe worked for our company last season and just started this season. We called him "Little Joe" ,but his personality was far from little. What I would like to say to Joe's parents and family is that I miss Joe as a friend and co-worker. He was as good a worker as he was friend. My most sincere condolences are with all of you.
Joel Gavaldon
April 27, 2010 | Traverse City, MI
Dearest Joe, I can still hear your voice and see your face in the back of my mind… you always had this charisma, a certain charm that is so hard to come by. All you had to do was walk into a room with that skip in your step, and everyone couldn't help but crack a smile. I don't think you even realized how many people truly care about you, and will continue to think about you everyday for a very long time. I always admired your adventurous spirit and liberated mind, you were constantly...
Alexis Crossley
April 27, 2010 | Traverse City, MI
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Barbara Evans
April 27, 2010 | Strongsville, OH