Allen Compton Welch Jr.

Allen C. Welch, Jr., 77, of Millerstown, PA passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025 at the Community General Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg. Born on March 20, 1948 in Mount Union, PA to Allen C. Welch, Sr. and his wife, Edith Black Welch, Allen graduated from Mount Union High School and briefly attended Shippensburg University before enlisting in the United States Navy. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he entered the Naval Reserve and later attended Juniata College. After graduating from Juniata College, he enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh Law School, earning his law degree and embarking on a legal career as a Public Defender, first in Clearfield County, then in Dauphin County. Eventually, he entered private practice, specializing in criminal defense, a career he loved and continued to practice until shortly before his passing.

In addition to his career as an attorney, Allen continued to serve his country in the Naval Reserve, eventually retiring from the military after 20 years of service. He became deeply involved in the veteran community and served as the President of the Vietnam Veterans of America - Capital Chapter 542 Michael J. Novosel M.O.H. Allen was very proud of his years as President of VVA 542 and always sought ways to involve the Chapter in veterans' events and activities; he was particularly proud of the Chapter’s annual participation in the New York City Veteran’s Day parade and yearly trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to wash the wall every summer.

Allen is survived by his wife, Sharon Reisinger-Welch, and his children, Rebecca Welch Sheetz, her husband Doug, and their sons Ethan and Henry Sheetz; his son, Paul Welch, his wife Nicole, and their children Elyce and Liam; and his stepson, 1LT Steven Reisinger and his wife, Chelsea. He is also survived by his four sisters, Suzanne, Maggie, Jeannette, and Mary Ann, as well as many nieces and nephews. Allen loved his family deeply; he and his wife shared many mutual interests, particularly travel, and were fortunate to travel to places like Ireland, Italy, and Hawaii, but they were equally happy spending quiet time together at home. Allen was immensely proud of his children and enjoyed spending time with them as much as possible. He was a man of great intellect and curiosity, but even more importantly, he had a big and generous heart and if you were lucky enough to be someone he loved, you never doubted for a moment his deep and abiding affection for you.

A military service for Allen will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 at 1:30 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Vietnam Veterans of America – Capital Chapter building at 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Allen’s name to Vietnam Veterans of America – Capital Chapter 542 Michael J. Novosel M.O.H.