Diane Kay Welch

Diane Kay Welch of Nashville, MI, formerly of Melvin, MI was born on February 4, 1954 to the late Harold and Lela Sampson. Diane passed away, surrounded by her family, on May 4, 2025. The youngest of five children, she grew up in Melvin and graduated from Brown City High School in 1972. On February 3, 1973, she married Richard Jay Welch and together they lovingly raised three children: Amy (Scott) Spencer of Fort Gratiot, Scott (Christina) Welch of Capac, and Nathan (Bailey) Welch of Nashville, MI. They had recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Diane adored her family and was a very proud grandmother to Cassie (Duane), Steven, Sydney, Carleigh (Kenny), Josie, Aubrey, Austin, Roan, and Brindle, and a cherished great-grandmother to Duane, Eleanor, Kali, and Atlas. Diane was employed for 22 years as a member of the kitchen staff at Brown City Schools, where she was loved by many and affectionately known as one of “the lunch ladies” before her retirement. Diane found great joy in the simple pleasures of life – mowing her lawn, planting flowers, camping, trips to Florida, walks on the beach, and most of all, spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brother, Robert Sampson. She is survived by her siblings: Karen (Dave) Cook, Bill (Judy) Sampson, JoAnn (Bill) Brooks, and sister in law Denise Sampson. Diane loved her family deeply and made every moment spent with each of them special. She will be remembered for her kindness, her sense of humor, and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Brown City Missionary Church, 8935 E. Burnside Rd, Brown City, Michigan. Family and friends are invited to gather from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to share memories and visit with the family. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Richard Fledderjohann, with a luncheon to follow. The family would like to also add a special thank you to the staff of SJ Flower House for caring for Diane like she was a member of their own family. We are forever grateful for the love, comfort, and compassion they gave her and the support they provided to us.

Diane Kay Welch

February 4, 1954 - May 4, 2025