Ray Lewis Welch, Sr., 82, of Rochester and formerly of Elkhart, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester. He was born on October 17, 1940, in Elkhart, to the late Forrest T. and Lucille D. (Stockwell) Welch.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Sarah Back of Rochester, Tamara (Kent) Jennings of Idaho, and Angela Welch of Hinkley, IL; sons, Russell (Lana) Welch of North Carolina, Ray (Heather) Welch, Jr., of Addison, IL, Jason Welch of Elk Grove Village, IL, Duane (Elizabeth) Welch of St. Charles, IL, and Dustin (Becky) Welch of Plymouth; grandchildren, Hunter Pace, Natasha Back, and Bryce Back, all of Rochester, Jeremey Welch of Goshen, Matilda Simon of Hinkley, IL, Ray Welch and Stacie Welch, both of Addison, IL, and Connor Welch and Taylor Welch, both of St. Charles, IL; great-granddaughter, McKenzie Welch of Goshen; brother, William "Bill" Welch of Terre Haute; and a loving host of extended family, friends, and acquaintances.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Janice.

In accordance with Ray's wishes, cremation has been chosen and a private graveside service with military honors will be performed at Marion National Cemetery at a later date. Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart has been assisting the family with arrangements.

Ray honorably served our country from 1960 to 1962 in the Navy and then worked as a medic for 15 years in the Army National Guard.

Ray drove a semi-truck from the time he was 18 years old until his retirement in 2005. He enjoyed driving around, travelling to different places, and helping to deliver items anywhere he could. Ray was also employed at the Elkhart Housing Department for five years and worked part-time at Goodwill once in a while.

In his spare time, Ray enjoyed going to the Rochester Center for the Seniors to eat lunch or play bingo; he made some friends while attending. He also enjoyed going to Grace United Methodist Church with a friend for dinner on Wednesday evenings. He also enjoyed collecting model cars, even being kind enough to show them off and share them with others around him.

Ray, along with all the joy and love he shared, will be dearly missed by those whose hearts he had touched throughout his life.