THOMAS E. WELCH SR. GRIFFITH, IN Thomas E. Welch Sr., age 84, of Griffith, passed away on Friday January 11, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, June; children: Linda (Bill) Tankersley of Safety Harbor, FL, Diane (Bruce) Spillman of Parker, CO, Cheryl (Steve Cole) Welch of Coco Beach, FL, and Mark (Yolanda) Welch of Griffith; grandchildren: Tonia, Corey, Cortney, Markie, and Shane; great grandchildren: Abby, Ryen, Taylor, and Katelyn; brothers and sisters: Leo (Helen) Welch, Rita Mount, Dororthy (Lenny) Fiegle, Richard (Shirley) Welch, and Janet (Dan) Boltz; and by his numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Katherine Welch; son, Tommy; grandson, Craig; brothers: Billy, Jack, and Edward. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church located at 525 N. Broad St. in Griffith with Fr. Theodore Mens celebrating. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville. Friends may meet with the family on Sunday, January 13, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at White Funeral Home located at 921 W. 45th Ave. in Griffith. A prayer service will be held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Thomas was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Holiday Ramblers, and the Griffith Historical Society. He was also a member of Teamsters Union Local # 142 and he was an avid Cubs and Notre Dame Fan. Memorials may be given to Parkinson's Research or the Alzheimer's Association For information, please call White Funeral Home at (219) 924-4100.