Donald Alvin Welch passed away, June 30, 2013, at the blessed age of 96 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home, Union Grove.

Don was born on January 12, 1917 in Minong, WI and moved to Racine in 1939.  It was in Racine where he met and married Marjorie (Marge) Nielsen, Oct. 27th, 1942 at Holy Communion Church.  He was inducted in the Army March 24th, 1941 and served in the 1st Calvary, 3337th QM Driver Detachment where he learned his trade as a mechanic. Don served a 3 year tour during WWII in the Pacific theatre, including New Guinea, Biak, Samar, the Philippines and Admiralty Islands and Australia. He was honorably discharged in 1945 after earning a Victory medal, Asiatic Pacific theatre ribbon with 3 bronze battle stars, Philippine liberation ribbon with two bronze battle stars, 4 overseas bars and one service stripe.  He returned to Racine to Marge and began his own business, Tower Garage of Racine, named because it was near the radio tower of WRJN.

Don enjoyed bowling on his own and with the church league, playing golf, waterskiing and singing in the church choir at Holy Communion where he and Marge were members.  Don retired after 13 years as foreman from the Racine County Highway Department and with Marge moved to Florida.  After enjoying the warm weather for 11 years, they returned to Racine in 1989 because of Marge's health and to be closer to family.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marge, in May of 2002 and all of his 12 siblings.  He leaves behind 4 children, Kathy and Jim Jacobsen of Janesville, WI;  Jerry and Barbara Welch of Racine; Jeannie and Scott Schneider of Lakeland, FL; and  Craig and Sue Welch, also of Racine.  Don was blessed with 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and still counting.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, July 5, 2013 for a visitation from 4-6 p.m.  A service honoring and celebrating his life will follow at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. David Echelbarger officiating.  His family will hold a private interment with military honors at West Lawn Memorial Park.

One of Don's final accomplishments was his Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his guardian Ben Johannsen on September 19, 2010, which he thoroughly loved.  Thus in lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in his memory to the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight organization so other vets can experience the day in Washington D.C visiting the monuments in their honor.  Donations can be made online at www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org or through PayPal.  Donations can also be mailed to STARS AND STRIPES HONOR FLIGHT, PO BOX 636, PORT WASHINGTON, WI, 53074.  Please make checks out to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

Don's family would like to thank the dedicated staff of One East at Boland Hall, VA Hospital, Union Grove for taking care of him in the last few years.