Donald Roy Welch, 71, died Nov. 6, 2010, at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance.

He was born May 16, 1939, at Farnam, to Robert Leland and Mildred Josephine (Spencer) Welch. He was a graduate of Farnam High School.

On April 19, 1969, he was united in marriage to Patricia D. Arent at Curtis.

They moved to Alliance in 1979, where Donald worked for the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe Railroad until retiring as a machinist in 2001. Don was devoted to his family and especially enjoyed being with his grandchildren.

His survivors are his wife, Patricia; his sons, Robert L. (Lynne) Welch, of Lincoln, Steve D. (Pam) Welch, of Alliance, Randall M. (Angela) Welch, of Hillsboro, Kan., Jordan J. (Amanda) Welch, of North Platte, and his daughter, Jana Welch, of Alliance. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jodi Lewellen, Aubrey Welch, Corby Jake Welch, Erik Welch, Aaron Welch, Austin Welch, Summer-Rayne Welch, Kaitlyn Welch, Elizabeth Welch and Alyssa Welch; and his great-grandchildren, Tiara and Jaxson Lewellen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Leland Douglas Welch; and his sister, Ruth Yvonne Pedersen.

Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m., today, at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home with his family being present from 4-6 p.m.

Services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte with Father James Novakowski officiating. Burial will be at the Arbor Cemetery at Stockville.

The family will designate a memorial at a future date. Donations may be sent in care of the family at 680 Hampton Street, Alliance, NE 69301.

Online condolences may be left at batesgould.com Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.

North Platte Telegraph, 9 November 2010.