Doris Jean Welsh

Doris Jean was born in Lansing on March 5, 1925 and continued to live in Lansing and the Lansing area her entire life. She graduated in 1943 as a member of Lansing Central High School’s last graduating class. Doris was an accomplished pianist and became a certified teacher in the Dunning Piano Method.

Doris Jean married Donald Welsh on July 15, 1945. Together, in the Catholic faith and with unconditional love, they raised 8 children, all of whom survive her: Heather Stringer, Deborah (Patrick) Apostol, Mary Beth (Hani) Bawarshi, Sally (Frank) Boyer, Richard (Deede) Welsh, Nancy (James) Heinz, Thomas Welsh and Kevin Welsh. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren with one on-the-way, 6 great-great grandchildren with 2 on-the-way. In addition, Doris Jean is survived by nieces Wendy (Dan) Williams, Nona Beebe, Cindy Duryee, and nephews Bruce Beebe, Brent Beebe and Brent (Cheryl) Williams.

Doris Jean is predeceased by her husband, Donald, who passed in 1998; parents, father Anona (Maude) Beebe and mother Orpha Mae Short; siblings Vivian Aikens, Mike (Patricia) Beebe and Bonnie Lou (Richard) Williams; daughter-in-law Anita Welsh; grandson Joshua Welsh and granddaughter Carol Anne Heinz; 1 niece, 3 nephews and many, many special friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Fox Therapy at Provision – East Lansing and CorsoCare Michigan. A very special thanks to all the staff at Provision for their gentle and loving care of our mother these past 11 months. We are also grateful to the Eucharistic Ministers from the Catholic Community of St. Jude for their many years of ministry and faith to Mom & family.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 10, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home DeWitt Chapel, 205 E Washington St., DeWitt, MI, 48820 with a Rosary being prayed at 7:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 11, 2025 at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, MI, 48820 at 11:00 am with a gathering for family and friends beginning at 10:00 am. Following Mass, Doris Jean will be laid to rest in Chapel Hills Memorial Garden. 4444 W. Grand River, Lansing, MI 48906.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Kevin Welsh, Stephen Heinz, Jeff Nelson, Frank Boyer, Anthony Bawarshi, and Patrick Apostol and honorary pallbearers, Richard Welsh and Hani Bawarshi.

At Doris Jean’s request, donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Shriners Children’s Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or VFW National Home, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.