Phyllis Gene Welch's Obituary
Mecosta - Phyllis Gene Welch, 87, of Mecosta, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Evergreen Terrace after a prolonged battle with vascular dementia.
She was born on September 8, 1935, in Whitehouse, Ohio to Charles Jesse Clyde and Delphia Irene (Black) Powell. The family moved to Chum's Corners in Mecosta County when she was a child and she attended Big Rapids High School. Phyllis worked at Ferris State University in the food service department at Rankin Center where she met her husband, Harold Welch. She also spent several years working at Evart Products in the paint department before retiring.
She hated being called Phyllis and insisted that she be called Jeanne. The family called her "Little Grandma". The biggest joy in her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she seldom missed an opportunity to attend a cheer leading competition, horse show, football game or any event that allowed her to see any of the grandkids. She was a fixture at family parties and took so many pictures that the family referred to her as "The Paparazzi".
Left to celebrate her memory is her son, Gordon C. Traynor; daughter Angela (Elery) Barnes; sister Rosalie Derevage; 8 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Harold Welch in 2008, her daughter Candice Ladd, her parents, brothers Norman Powell, Philip Powell and Floyd Powell, sister-in-law Beatrice Powell and brother-in-law Ed Derevage.
A celebration of Jeanne's life will be held at a later date. She will be laid to rest next to Harold in Pine Plains Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Activity Fund at Evergreen Terrace. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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