Glenn Welsh

Age 89, was born on June 3, 1921 in Saginaw to Glenn L. and Leta J. Welsh. He died on Dec. 3, 2010 in his home in Mesa, Ariz. Glenn grew up in Vassar helping his father on their farm and working as a carpenter. He graduated from Vassar High School in 1939. He joined the Army Air Corp during World War II and served as an aircraft mechanic in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, he returned to Vassar where he met his future wife, Norma Jean Oviatt, who had come to teach in his hometown. They were married on June 11, 1949 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before her death in 2009. Glenn learned to fly while working as an aircraft mechanic in Saginaw. A few years later, Glenn and his brother Bud built their own airport outside Vassar and created Welsh Aircraft Service. They later started their successful plastics company at the same location. Glenn was a loving father to daughter Kay Ellen and twin sons David and Donald. After retiring in 1973, Glenn moved his family to Scottsdale, Ariz. He kept busy with flying and working on airplanes. He became involved with gliders at Estrella Sailport and completed two home-built VanAaas RV4 airplanes. Glenn and Norma Jean continued to spend their summers at their cottage on Murphy Lake in Michigan. He enjoyed both water skiing and scuba diving. Glenn spent his life as a caring son, devoted husband and father, skilled mechanic, and enthusiastic aviator. Glenn is survived by his daughter, Kay Ellen and her husband, David Walden, of Mesa, Ariz.; son, David and his wife, LaDonna, of Mesa, Ariz.; and son, Don of Los Angeles, Calif. He is survived by his granddaughter Angie, her husband Ray DeLange and great-granddaughter Cora of Guadalajara, Mexico; and grandson, LT Mark Walden, currently serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. He is also survived by his sister Lola; his brotherAaas wife, Ila; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.