John A. Welsh, 87

LEETONIA - John A. Welsh, 87, of 39998 S.R. 558, died of complications of old age at 10 a.m. Sunday in the Salem Community Hospital.
He was born April 26, 1919 in New Waterford, son of John Proctor and Alice Lydia Young Welsh, and had lived in Leetonia for most of his life.
Mr. Welsh had been a machinist at the former National Rubber Machinery Co. in Columbiana and was a self-employed dairy farmer for nearly 60 years.
He was a member of the East Fairfield United Methodist Church, the Allen Masonic Lodge No. 276 F&AM in Columbiana, the Farm Bureau and Mt. Nebo Grange. He was also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Member, Valley of Youngstown.
He served as Chief Artillery Mechanic in Panama in the U.S. Army during WWII.
John was preceded in death Nov. 27, 1976 by his first wife, Dorothy L. Evans, whom he married Nov. 26, 1943; and on Aug. 5, 2006 by his second wife, Ruth E. Crook, whom he married Aug. 13, 1977.
Surviving are two sons, Gary (Mary) Welsh and Jeffrey Welsh, both of Leetonia; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Richard (Bonnie J.) Steeb of Shalmar, Fla.; a stepson, Randolph L. Bolsinger of Las Vegas; four grandchildren, Tina (Mike) Mellington, Chad (Candi) Welsh, Todd Welsh and Heather Welsh and a stepgranddaughter, Tiffany Blaney; four great-grandchildren, Taylor and Austin Mellington, and Lindsay and Tyler Welsh; and five step grandchildren.
Besides his wives, he was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis V. Welsh, and a brother, Fred Proctor Welsh.
Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the East Fairfield United Methodist Church, where his body will lie in state from 10 to 11 a.m. The Rev. Michael Namy will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery in Salem.
Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Warrick-Kummer Funeral Home in Columbiana.
The Honor Guard of the Benjamin Firestone Post No. 290, American Legion will render military honors.
Friends and family may visit www.familycareservices.com to sign register book and leave condolences.