John Welch

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

John J. Welch, age 88, left this world on Sunday, October 23, 2016. He went peacefully into rest at Freeman West surrounded by his immediate family.

Born on April 9, 1928 to John Joseph Welch and Louise Jarrell Welch, John was a lifelong resident of the Joplin/Redings Mill area. He attended the Redings Mill School where he finished the eighth grade, and then went on to graduate from Joplin High in 1946. He met Mary Ann Cignetti in the Joplin skating rink, fell deeply in love, and began a 67-year long marriage on August 17, 1949 in Bentonville, Arkansas. John and Mary were in several dance clubs in the area and were members of the Joplin Elks Club. After their marriage, John joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was baptized in 1963. John worked at R+S Chevrolet until 1950 and then went to work at Rocketdyne and Teledyne in Neosho, Missouri from 1954-1969. He then opened his own auto shop, where he worked alongside his sons, rebuilding and selling wrecked vehicles. After finally “retiring” in 1993, John continued to rebuild old classic cars and displayed them in surrounding area car shows where he won many awards and trophies.

In addition to his parents, John will be greeted in heaven by his son, Tony Welch and a granddaughter, Rachel Welch.

Surviving him are his wife, Mary (Cignetti) Welch; two sons, Mike Welch and Pat Welch and wife, Brenda; a daughter, Susan Deubler, and husband, John; grandchildren, Spencer and Kaitlyn Welch, Drew Crossland and wife, Evelyn, of Texas, Jamey Smith and wife, Kristi; one great-granddaughter, Ava Smith; and two siblings, Mary Lee DeRenzo of Sebastian, Florida, and Loren “Bud” Welch and wife, Karen Sue, of Golden, Missouri. John was a role model to anyone who met him. He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He will surely continue to dance in our hearts until we are reunited with him.

Funeral services for Mr. Welch are 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016 in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary with Father Justin Monaghan officiating. The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.