Wallace Dean Welch, 93
Wallace Dean Welch, 93 of Polk passed away on Monday evening, May 6, 2024 at Brethren Care Village.
Dean was born on July 23, 1930 at home in Ashland County, the son of the late Kent E. and Lela (nee Smith) Welch.
He graduated from Polk High School, Class of 1949. Dean proudly enlisted in the United States Navy on December 26, 1950.
He married the love of his life, the former Doris Reed on May 11, 1952 while on leave. Dean and his bride returned to San Diego, California where he completed his obligation to the navy as a fire instructor; and was honorably discharged in 1954.
He began farming with his father and continued for more than 50 years in a partnership with his brother Eugene on the home farm that had been in the family since 1867. As dairy farmers they developed a herd of Registered Holsteins with the U-Dean prefix.
Dean was a devoted lifetime member of the Polk Church of Christ where he served as an elder. He served on the Mapleton Board of Education for 16 years, NOBA, 21 years, and the Ohio Holstein Association for 10 years. He was also a devoted member of the Ashland County Farm Bureau. Dean was a great supporter of Mapleton Local Schools with his children, grandchildren and many friends.
He is survived by his loving wife who would have celebrated 72 years on Saturday, Mrs. Doris Welch of Polk; two daughters, Julie (Rod) Rogers of Ashland and Nancy Welch of Polk; one son, Michael (Cheryl) Welch of Polk; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Welch of Polk; eleven grandchildren, Shenna (Seth) Cole, Joshua (Lindsey) Welch, Bethany Szijarto, Aaron (Tonya) Welch, Adam (Jill) Welch, Missy (Matt) Schmitz, Chad (Amanda) Rogers, Courtney (Josh) Bull, Jonathan (Mara) Welch, Ashlee (Sean) Lucas, and Reed Welch; 25 great grandchildren; two expected great-great grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Esther Welch of Polk and Barbie (Ralph) Daniels of Ashland.
In addition to his parents, Dean is preceded in death by two sons, Randy and James Welch; two granddaughters, Abby and Zoe Welch; and his siblings, Lorene (William) Gardner, Eugene Welch, Ercel (Dick) Swindaman, Grace (Dale) Gardner, and Mary Louise (Gib) Smith; and a brother-in-law, Bill Reed.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in the Polk Church of Christ with Pastor Ed Graves presiding Friends may visit two hours prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the church. Full military honors will be conducted by the Ashland Veteran’s Honor Guard. Interment will take place in the Polk Cemetery following a meal and time of fellowship at the Polk Jackson Perry Fire District.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Polk Church of Christ; 204 E. Congress St. Polk OH 44866 or to the Polk Fire Department;209 E. Congress St. Polk, OH 44866.
Please make checks payable to the Polk Church of Christ or to the Fire-fighters Association of Polk.
For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com