James Ken Welch  1932 - 2019   

James "Ken" Welch, 87, of Rittman, died Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Summa Barberton Hospital.   Ken was born February 28, 1932, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Edwin and Mildred (Brooks) Welch.

Ken graduated from Wadsworth High School as part of the "Nifty Class off Fifty."   On December 26, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Faye (Robinson) Welch, after enlisting in the United States Navy.   He served active duty for two years during the Korean Conflict.

JK, as he was known by his family and friends, worked in the banking industry for 30 years, retiring from Bank One in Wadsworth as the assistant manager.  

He had an intense passion for riding motorcycles with the Skypark Lowriders, touring the country on his Honda Gold Wing.   Ken also enjoyed dancing, painting, and working with stained glass with his Ken's Custom Creations.  He was an avid volunteer with the Boy Scouts, the American Red Cross, and the Medina County Parks.   In honor of his service, Ken was selected as the "1989 Citizen of the Year" in Wadsworth.

Ken will be deeply missed by his wife;  children: Evelyn James of Wadsworth, Jeanne Kerns of Norton, Edward (Ruth Simon) Welch of Wadsworth, Robert (Laura Narduzzi) Welch of Wadsworth, and Wendy (Darrin) Harvey of Gallion;  grandchildren:  Angela Haprian, Aaron Welch, Michael, Tim, and Robert Kerns, Douglas and Amanda Harvey; great-grandchildren: Dominic and Emmett Haprian, Veronica Kerns and Harrison Kerns;  brother, David Welch of Tennessee;  sisters: Phylis Riffe of Barberton and Nancy Billman of Frazeysburg.   Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Thelma Smith.

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, June 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 660 High St., Wadsworth, Ohio 44281.  A private burial will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, where military rites will be held.

Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Medina County Parks, 6364 Deerview Lane, Medina, Ohio, 44256.


   

   Ken Welch
   Wadsworth High School
   Graduating Class of 1950
                         
    

WHS Machine Shop Class, 1949-50.  From left: Herbert Walters, Charles Easterday, Kenny Welch, Bill Held, Ronnie Hayth, Les Gaugler.
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Steph Schmeltzer  (WHS 1997), Chair, Wadsworth High School Alumni Association. 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281.    Past obituaries, class information, and alumni news is available at www.wadsworthalumni.com.  Please contact us at [email protected] . To view WCTV television programs featuring Wadsworth High School and other Wadsworth news, go to http://my.viebit.com.   Please consider becoming a supporting member of the Alumni Association by sending a check addressed to "WHS ALUMNI ASSOC."  for $10 (annual dues) or $100 (lifetime dues) to Sally Porter, WHSAA Treasurer, 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281. Reduced Membership Rates for WHS Alumni Couples! $150 per couple for lifetime memberships; $25 per couple for yearly dues.