Donald E. Welsch

ELMHURST — Donald E. Welsch, formerly of Scranton, died on Nov. 22, 2015, at the age of 92 at St. Mary's Villa Residence, Elmhurst.

He was a son of the late John C. and Edith Welsch and the husband of the late Marion Howells Welsch, formerly of Scranton, to whom he was happily married for 66 years.

A graduate of Scranton Central High School, he served in the 102nd infantry during World War II and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for combat in Germany. He joined Wesel Manufacturing Company as a machinist in 1947 and, amazingly, retired from the same company as its president.

He was a longtime member of Concord United Church of Christ, formerly Dr. Jones Memorial UCC, and later of the Providence Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Hyde Park Lodge #339 F&AM, Keystone Consistory, Irem Temple, the choral group Young at Heart and North Scranton Rotary. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

He developed a love of sailing as a young boy at Wrighter Lake, Susquehanna County, where he continued to spend his summers until shortly before his death. His greatest sailing experiences, however, were the long cruises on the Chesapeake Bay that he shared every spring and fall with his beloved wife on their sailboat, the Mary Anne.

An accomplished jazz trumpet player, he played for many decades throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and was a founding member of the Irem Temple Jazz Band.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Eleanor Smith; and a daughter-in-law, Jean Welsch.

He is survived by a brother, Welland; a son, John "Jack" and his wife, Linda, Roaring Brook Township; son, Tom and his wife, Rhonda, Fairport, New York; son, David and his wife, Dianne, Oswego, New York. Also surviving are grandchildren, Don, Stephen and his wife, Krista, Peter and his wife, Elizabeth, Eric, Matthew and his husband, Joel, Ashley and Tory; and great-grandchildren, Julian, Madison, Noah, Althea, Katherine and Gillian; and his very special friend, Nancy Miller.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the administration and staff of St. Mary's Villa Residence, Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Caregivers America, for offering outstanding care and compassion.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Howard J. Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton. All are welcome to funeral service to be held 10 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of St. Mary's Villa Residence, 1 Pioneer Place, Elmhurst. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Villa Residence, 1 Pioneer Place, Elmhurst, PA 18444; or to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Online condolences can be conveyed at www.duffyandsnowdon.com.