Forrest John (Johnny) Welch, 85, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, formerly of Rawson, Ohio, died Tuesday Sept. 24, 2019, at Pruitt Health, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Johnny was born April 6, 1934, in Putnam County, Ohio to the late John D. and Mamie (Prowant) Welch the fourth eldest of 13 children. On Oct. 19, 1955, he married Carol (Huls) Welch, in San Leandro, California, who survives in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
He is survived by three children, daughters Sherri (Perry) Welch of Charlotte N.C., Gina (Kevin) Green of Lima, Ohio, and son and caregiver Forrest Jeffrey Welch of Fort Mill, S.C. He was preceded in death by a son, John Chris Welch.
He was a graduate of Cory-Rawson High School. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War stationed In Castro Valley, California, where he met and married his wife, moving back to Ohio after his discharge.
He retired from Ford Motor Co. in 1987 and relocated to Fort Mill, South Carolina. He was a past member of the Masons in Rawson and later Indian Land, S.C.
He leaves five grandchildren, Nathaniel (Carla) Green of Lima, Ohio, Lorren (Tim Hagen) Welch of Bluffton Ohio, Nicolas (Erica) Welch of Mooresville, N.C., Blair (Akira) Saito, Raleigh, N.C. and Christopher (Samantha) Welch of Dunn, N.C. Also seven great-grandchildren, Nathan, Xavier and Ethan Green, Georgia, and Eden Hagen, Stormy, and Avery Welch.
Whitesell Funeral Home in Rock Hill, S.C, has been entrusted with cremation arrangements with interment later at Pleasant View Cemetery Mt. Cory, Ohio.
There will be no public visitation. Private services to be held at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whitesellfuneralhome.net.
