KNOX – Viola I. Welch, 75, died peacefully Nov. 10, 2011, with her family by her side at a Bangor nursing facility. She was born Nov. 14, 1935, in Knox, the daughter of Robert and Mildred (Davis) Hanson.
Viola enjoyed being with her family, knitting, crocheting, long conversations on the phone, playing several instruments and shopping with the girls. She also enjoyed being at the diner working and meeting old and new friends, laughing and joking around, going to church and loved her special kitty, Princess. She was very proud of her family and grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.
She is survived by her children, Robert Welch and wife, Kathy, Diane Jones and husband, Paul, and Donna Roberts and husband, Tom, all of Knox; grandchildren, Craig Jones and wife, Angela, of Thorndike, Troy Welch of Bangor, Christopher Jones and wife, Michelle, of Knox, Tina Spaulding of Knox, Scott Welch of Colorado Springs, Colo., Amy Roberts and Eric Roberts of Knox; six very special great-grandchildren, MacKenzie and Marissa Jones, Derrick and Travis Spaulding, Collin Jones and Aaron Welch; sisters, Christine Grant and Betty Moulton and husband, Norman; sisters-in-law, Joyce Chase, Janet Welch and Marilyn Applebee; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Elwood Welch; son, Richard Welch; siblings, Florence Dyer, Doris Cook, Beatrice Hustus, Earlwin Raven and Margarite Harvey; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mary and Peter Welch; sister-in-law, Myrtie Ricker; and brother-in-law, Earl Welch.
Visitation for family and friends will be held 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at Young Funeral Home, 31 West Main St., Searsport. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at Faith Temple Church of God, Route 52, Belfast, with the Rev. Elizabeth Sullivan officiating. After the service burial will be at Kenney Cemetery, Brooks. Donations in Viola’s memory may be made to Mason Mills House of Prayer, 211 Lincolnville Ave., Belfast, ME 04915.