Charles "Charlie" Patrick Welch

Charles Patrick Welch, 80, passed away surrounded by family on October 7, 2017.  Charlie was born on March 20, 1937, at the Welch family farm in Ironsides, MD, to John and Helen Risko Welch.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated from LaPlata High School in 1956.  After high school, he proudly served in the Maryland National Guard from 1956 to 1961.  Charlie began working as a pipefitter at the Washington D.C. Blue Plains Water Treatment Plant in 1959.  He retired in 1995, as a maintenance foreman, after 36 years of service. 

Charlie married Judith Ann Funkhouser on October 10, 1958, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPlata, MD.  They were happily married for over 58 years.  Charlie was a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Indian Head, MD.  He enjoyed gardening, farming, vacationing with Judy and his grandson Josh, and spending time with all his beloved grandchildren.  Charlie also devoted countless hours to Joe’s Place Food Pantry at Durham Church where he volunteered for over 10 years.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and five of his eight siblings:  John Welch, Jr., Mildred Welch Bowie, Harry Welch, Richard Welch, and Janet Welch Edgecomb.  Charlie is survived by his spouse, Judy, of Ironsides, MD; his daughters, Shelley Lee Welch [Thomas Dale] Clark of Ironsides, MD and Sherrie Ann Welch [Brien Thomas] Graveline of Wilmington, DE; his sister, Hazel Welch Rivera of North Carolina; his brothers, Thomas Anthony Welch of LaPlata, MD and George Morris Welch of Nanjemoy, MD; his grandchildren Amanda, Daniel, Joshua, Rachel, Hannah and Sarah; and other relatives. 

A public viewing will be held at Williams Funeral Home on Thursday, October 12, 2017, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers at 7:30 PM.  Funeral services and interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Joe’s Place Food Pantry, Christ Church Durham Parish, 8700 Ironsides Road, Nanjemoy, MD 20662.  

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