Sept. 19, 1939 — May 12, 2018

Nathan Kent Welch Sr., 78, of Niles, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 12, 2018, after a brief illness.

Nate was born on Sept. 19, 1939, to the late Jesse Welch and Lillian Fulkerth. Nate worked hard his entire life, retiring from Redi Froz and McDonalds. On April 28, 1962, Nate wed Patricia “Joy” Tuttle. Nate and Patricia soon Proudly welcomed a son and a daughter to complete their family. Nate always made sure that family came first and that they were all together for the holidays.

Nate also volunteered as a firefighter for Niles Township Fire Department for many years. Up until his passing, Nate’s morning routine consisted of visiting McDonald’s and the fire department to see his friends. Nate was never one to sit idle and even after his retirement his hobbies consisted of painting, ceramics, woodworking, such as clocks and jigsaw puzzle pictures, and bargain hunting at local garage sales with his best friend John. Nate loved his westerns, collecting and watching.

Nate was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jesse Welch; and sister, Tillie Drummond.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Joy” Welch; children, Nathan (Traci) Welch Jr. of Niles and Penny (Jim) Lecklider of South Bend; grandchildren, Nathan (Shelby) Welch III of Dowagiac and Kyle Welch of Niles; brother, Omer Welch of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles, with a committal service to follow in South Bend at Riverview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Nate’s memory to the American Heart Association.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.