NORWICH – Donald O. Welch, 72, of Norwich, passed away unexpectedly late Friday evening, Sept. 5, 2008 at the Chenango Memorial Hospital, with his family at his side.
The son of Otis and Beatrice (Evans) Welch, Don was born in Smyrna in May of 1936. He grew up in Earlville where he attended the local schools, then spent over 32 of his working years as an employee of the Norwich Shoe Company. After Norwich Shoe’s closing, Don worked for 17 years for Chenango Memorial Hospital and its affiliates, where he was highly thought of as a swift and accurate worker and earned many friends. Don was an outgoing man who liked talking to people and especially enjoyed family get-togethers and the family’s holiday activities. In his earlier years he had traveled with modified race driver Richie Evans of Rome, and was an avid fan of the NASCAR races which he had attended in person as well as watching the races on the television. Don also enjoyed watching any and all televised sports, had bowled in the local leagues, and was a 33-year member of the Norwich Elks B.P.O.E. Lodge 1222.
On Jan. 27, 1985, in Smyrna, Don married Joyce Merritt Harmon. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Welch of Norwich; his biological daughters, Kelley Carnachan and husband Scott of Norwich, and Terri Doupe of Altamont Springs, Fla.; his step-children: David Harmon and wife Laurie, Michael Harmon, and Dawn Baker and husband Marc, all of Sherburne, and Shawn Eee Meyers and husband Kevin of South Plymouth; and his sisters: Virginia Welch of Hubbardsville, and Marilyn Jones and husband Wayne of Clarksville, Tenn. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, DeForrest Merritt and wife Michele of Frederica, Del.; biological grandchildren Megan and Sarah Carnachan of Norwich; step-grandchildren: Lukas Harmon of Sherburne, Jessica Harmon of Mammoth Lake, Calif., Sierra and Brandi Harmon, Hannah, Dialah, and Myah Baker, all of Sherburne, and Tasha Furman of South Plymouth; nieces and nephew: Dewayne Jones and wife Angela of Clarksville, Tenn., Wendy Hees and husband Glen of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Stephane Merritt of Frederica, Del.; his uncle by marriage, Bernard Merritt of Norwich; Wayne Hatton whom Don thought of as a son; and by cousins and many friends.
Funeral services for Don will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Pastor Henry Edwards of the 7th Day Adventist Church in Oneonta, a good friend of the family, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Willcox Cemetery of Smyrna. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Don’s name to your favorite charity.