Joseph D. "Joe" Welburn
Joseph D. "Joe" Welburn
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Joseph Welburn Obituary
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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May 17, 2010
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 7, 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 came home right after school and gave me one of the biggest hugs with a tear in his eye.
Marvin Nordeen
May 1, 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 amazing character. Joe clearly touched many people’s lives in life, and continues to do so through his death. Our hearts are with you.
Marv
Kelsey Kuhn
April 28, 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 everything you did that you didn't know you did for me. Welburn family I know you know Joe was amazing and I am very sorry for your loss, truly I am. I will always remember Joe as the fun, carefree, charismatic, loving person he always was.
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Nelson,Sherry,Stacy,Cody Kneip
April 27, 2010
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.
Megan Monks
April 27, 2010
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.
Joel Gavaldon
April 27, 2010
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.
Alexis Crossley
April 27, 2010
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 thinking up some new philosophical mantra to live by and ways to spread the love. That's all you really wanted, for everyone to live and love one another to the best of their ability, because you knew unlike most, that life is too short to be bitter. Looking back on our years as pals, I learned a lot from our friendship, and accredit some of my fondest memories (during high school especially), to you and the times we shared. For those that didn't know you, well they sure missed out! But those of us who did will continue to keep your memory alive in every way we can, because you Joe, you were one of a kind. It is now more than ever I wish I could tell you how much I love you, and how I will never forget a single thing about who you were, and how blessed I feel to have ever had you in my life at all, but I know that you can hear me, as you explore your new home, in some exotic utopia, that only a beautiful mind like yours could envision.
Barbara Evans
April 27, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
I took this picture right after a good friend of ours (Stacy Collier), who was piloting, performed a practice stall without warning Joe and I.
Gabriel Lucas
April 27, 2010
Joe knew the importance of friendship and family. He was the most understanding and forgiving person I've met, always looking at the cup half full. Joe shared his love with everyone, and believe me, he had a lot of love to share. We've made so many memories together, none will I forget. My parents and I love you and your family with all our hearts.
Jake Rahe
April 27, 2010
I miss you Joe, your smile an warmth still burns in all our hearts. You will be dearly missed. I Wish I could of had the chance to say goodbye one last time. My thoughts an prayers will always be with you and your family. Im gonna miss you Joe. May your soul rest in peace buddy. <3
Melanie Kreider
April 27, 2010
May you find peace in knowing that Joe was so loved by so many. My thoughts are with all of you today and in the days to come. Much love.
Tiffany Birgy
April 27, 2010
I didnt know Joe, but I know his wonderful mother Mrs. Welburn. I'm so very sorry for your lose. May he rest in peace. He will be a wonderful angel looking out for his his family and friends.
From is Tiffany Birgy. Former student of Mrs. welburn.
He will be in my thoughts, and prayers.
Jessica fowler
April 27, 2010
god... I miss you joe so much. I keep wanting to call you, thinking this is just a crazy dream. You had such a beautiful sprit and smile. I cherish every moment I got to spend with you. I'll never forget our late nights just talking. you were a smart, funny and full of life you were unquie. My heart goes out to your family, I hope you find peace. He will be missed by everyone he touch.
More cousins at Jessie's wedding
Marcy Welburn
April 27, 2010
Cousins at Jessie's wedding
Marcy Welburn
April 27, 2010
Jim,Cathy, Kyle Chapple
April 27, 2010
John, Anne and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Laurie Downer
April 27, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Roxanne Collier
April 27, 2010
Our hearts go out to your family in the loss of your beloved Joe. We have gone through the loss of a child in a tragic accident 6 years ago and understand the severe heartbreak and the difficulty of finding that "new normal" . May the Lord help your family each step of the way and guide you in this difficult journey. Joe will not be forgotten!!!
Grandmother of Adrian Morris (Living her greatest adventures in Heaven since 2004)
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