Daniel Arden Welch

He was born in Brown City, Michigan on August 29, 1927, son of the late Stephen and Helen (nee Elliott) Welch. Daniel (Ardie) graduated from Brown City High School in 1945 and joined the U.S. Army in 1946, where he served in Japan as part of the U.S. Occupational Force. Following his service in the military, he attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Daniel began teaching in the Battle Creek Public School District and later moved to Ypsilanti where he became a Supervising Teacher with Eastern Michigan University. He then attended the University of Michigan where he would earn his master's degree. Daniel joined the Birmingham School District and served as Principal at Franklin Elementary School and Pierce School. Following his service in Birmingham, Daniel became the Director of Elementary Education in the Royal Oak School District, retiring in 1986 as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. In retirement, he joined the University of Michigan North Central Accreditation Team and assisted in Certification of schools throughout Michigan.

Daniel was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Royal Oak where he served on the Church Board as well as the Pastor Parish Committee. He was the founder of the Golden Beach Homeowners Association, a member of the Rotary Club of Royal Oak, and a member of the Brown City Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed being in nature, photography and doing woodwork, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family at his cottage in northern Michigan.

An avid reader and writer, Daniel had self-published his book “Silent Bells” about growing up on the Welch family farm in Brown City and had completed a second book, “180 Days” about a year in the life of an elementary principal.

Of all the amazing accomplishments Daniel had achieved in his life, he was most proud to have been the husband of 74 years to Marjorie Anne (nee Dunlap), whom he married on September 9, 1950 in Brown City.

He is survived by: children Debra Ann Hartman (David), Mark Arden Welch (the late Cindy nee Murphy), and Marna Lynn Hamilton (the late Larry); grandchildren David J. Hartman (Karen Lauinger), Alexis Nunley (Ryan), Jesse Welch, Lindsay Hamilton, the late Mackenzie Hamilton, Kaitlyn Gomez (Jorge) and Ashley Digan (James); great grandchildren Benjamin Hamilton, Noah Gomez, Mateo Gomez, Josefina Gomez, and Francisca Gomez. Also survived by a brother Ronald Welch and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to the deceased family members mentioned above, Daniel was also preceded in death by his siblings: Averille Shoultz, Robert Welch, Stephen ‘Bud’ Welch and Jackie Root.

In honor of Daniel’s wishes, public services will not be held at this time.

Memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org/en-us/.