Jean Knauss Welch  

Jean Knauss Welch

Jean Knauss Welch 93, passed away on December 3, 2016. She was born in 1923 in Warsaw, IN, and her family moved several times before they settled in Logansport, IN when she was in the 6th grade.

She graduated from Logansport H.S. in 1942, attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL for 2 years, and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) in 1946. While at Wisconsin she was a proud member of Tri Delta.

Moving back to Logansport after college graduation, she worked in a local dress shop, and then for an insurance company.

She met her future husband, Bill Welch, whose parents lived around the corner from her parents. They were married on March 5, 1949, in the small living room of her parents' home in Logansport, and then moved to Indianapolis, where her husband joined the law firm which became McHale, Cook and Welch.

Jean was a member of Stansfield Circle, president of the Day Nursery Auxiliary, and enjoyed time spent with the School #84 Bridge Club, and later with her "Sewing Club" friends. She was a longtime member of Meridian Street United Methodist Church, where she also volunteered. In the 1970s she was a board member of the Indianapolis Retirement Home.

In the last decade, Jean was a founding member of Impact 100, joining with her daughter and daughter-in-law.

She also supported the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund.

She and Bill enjoyed golfing and were members of Meridian Hills Country Club and Maxinkuckee Country Club in Culver, IN.

Jean was the heart and soul of the family. She had a calm nature, beautiful smile, and infectious laugh. As a wife she learned to love watching sports, and she took care of the home, the yard, and most details of family life. As a mother she was patient, kind, reassuring, and light hearted, even surviving our teenage and college years.

Jean was predeceased by her devoted husband of 64 years, William F. Welch, and her sister, Virginia Thomas Toothaker. She is survived by her son, Brian (Sue) Welch; and daughter, Sarah (Mac) McNaught. "Gigi," as she was known to her grandchildren, is also survived by Mary McNaught (Ryan) Yonkman, Bill Welch, Julia Welch (Basil) Merriman, and John (Becky) McNaught. Gigi delighted in her t wo great grandchildren, Ellie and Anna Jean Yonkman. Her nephew, Allen (Jan) Thomas also survives.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Stratford. Bill and Jean were among the first residents to move into the facility in 2008. Their primary care physicians at Priority Health have continually offered comfort and care. Special thanks go to Dr. Shelagh Fraser, Dr. Jonathan Schmidt, and Stacy Hewitt. During mom's last years of life, the devoted caregivers of Senior Home Companions took loving care of her, and in turn, the rest of the family. We are forever grateful for their appreciation of Jean's sense of humor and for every kindness shown to her.

Calling will be held at Meridian Street United Methodist Church, 5500 N. Meridian St. on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Services will be private, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport, IN. Arrangements are being handled by Flanner and Buchanan - Carmel.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Day Nursery Auxiliary of Indianapolis, Inc., 1776 N. Meridian St., Suite A, ndianapolis, IN 46202. Indianapolis Star Dec. 8, 2016