Obituary of Charles Welch

Charles W. âDutchâ Welch, 90, passed away Friday, November 20, 2009, at his residence after a brief battle with liver cancer.Dutch was born in Mt. Clare, WV, on February 26, 1919, the son of the late George E. and Mary Harman Welch. He was educated in Harrison County public schools and graduated from Lost Creek High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in England during World War II. After completing his military service, Dutch attended West Virginia Business College where he met Katie. He worked for Consol Energy (formerly Christopher Coal Company) as an accountant and office manager until his retirement in 1984. He served as a youth baseball coach and enjoyed golf and basketball. He was a Kiwanis member for many years and a member of Suncrest United Methodist Church (formerly Drummond Chapel UMC) since 1954. Dutch was a true blue and gold Mountaineer fan. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen (Katie) Pitzer, and his children, Donald Welch and his wife, Elaine of Tampa, FL, Charleen Welch of Verona, PA, William Welch and his wife, Lorraine of Hamden, CT, and Susan Healy and her husband, Tom of Easton, MA his grandchildren, Matthew Welch of Tampa, FL, Justin, Aimee and Joseph Welch of Hamden, CT and Connor and Davis Healy of Easton, MA as well as a great-grandson, Justin Taylor Welch. He is also survived by his sister, Beulah âBootsâ Ward and husband Ralph of FL as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Gene Hoblitzel, Marie Lanham, Bee Welch, Beatrice Bennett, Nellie Cunningham, Edward Welch and Dora Underwood. Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St. from 4-8pm on Sunday, November 22. Visitation will continue at Suncrest United Methodist Church on Monday, November 23, from 10-11am. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11am with Rev. Tim Halloran officiating. Interment will be held in West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown. Donations may be made in Dutchâs memory to Meals on Wheels of Morgantown, 3373 University Ave. Morgantown, WV 26505, Morgantown Hospice, PO Box 4222, Morgantown, WV 26504 or Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505.