James L. Welsh

James L. Welsh, 85, of Miller, passed away Friday, December 28, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Visitation with family present will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 4, 2019 followed by a 7:00 p.m. time of sharing, all at Reck Funeral Home in Miller. Burial with military honors will be at Beulah Cemetery, rural St. Lawrence, in the spring.

James Welsh was born March 16, 1933 to Thomas Edison and Hester Agnes (Mercer) Welsh in Washington, Pennsylvania. He grew up on a dairy farm in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. He graduated high school in 1951. He continued his education at Washington Jefferson College, graduating in 1955 with a B.A. in Psychology. While in college, he played on the football team. He was the only one in his family to graduate from college. In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Randolph during the Suez Crisis. He served active duty until 1957, then joining the Naval reserves until his honorable discharge in 1963.

On June 28, 1958 he married Marlene Tausendschoen in Baltimore, Maryland. Together they raised their four children: Deborah, Michelle, Bryan, and Keith. Jim worked as a claims adjuster for various insurance companies. His job transferred him to numerous cities before he and his family settled in Chicago, Illinois in 1969. He took an early retirement and in 1993, Jim and Marlene moved to Miller, South Dakota. Jim became extremely involved in his grandchildren and great grandchildren's activities.

Jim loved traveling and as he was raising his family, they enjoyed a great many National Parks. He traveled to 47 of the 50 states as well as Europe and Canada. Jim was also an avid naturalist and loved studying horticulture, watching birds, and being with his dogs.

Jim was known as a friendly, warm, spirited man with a dry and clever sense of humor. He is going to be greatly missed.

He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Marlene Welsh of Miller; children: Deborah Welsh of Chicago, IL, Michelle (John) Carr of Miller, Bryan Welsh of Corinth, TX, and Keith Welsh of Miller; four grandchildren: Josh (Bridget) Carr, Taylor (Brooke) Carr, Christopher Koenig, and Cameron Koenig; four great grandchildren: Noah and Avery Carr, and Finley and Harrison Carr; and one brother, Thomas (Sarah Marie) Welsh of Washington, PA.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Nicolette Michelle Carr; and his siblings: Lola, Robert, Mariam, and Wayne Welsh.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Jim's arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net