Obituaries

Michael Welch

November 22, 1956 - January 08, 2022

Text:

Obituary For Michael Welch

Michael Welch, age 65, passed away at home on January 8th, 2022. He was the first born to Jim & Terry Welch in Madison, WI on November 22, 1956. He graduated from James Madison Memorial High School in 1975, then went on to the University of Whitewater for 4 years.

Mike was a very talented artist, enjoying photography, drawing, pottery & paintings. Many of his drawings were of favorite comic book characters. Naturally he also loved collecting comic books and all things Marvel, Star Wars & Star Trek. He had a very unique imagination. Mike loved following the Badgers, Packers and Brewers just like his family does.

Mike did not have an easy life and struggled with bipolar disorder. With mental illness there is so much fear, ignorance, misunderstanding and hurtful attitudes that the people who suffer from mental illness needlessly suffer further. Someday a cure will be found, but until then, we need to support and be compassionate to those with mental illness, every bit as much as we support those who suffer from cancer, heart disease or any other illness.

Mike is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; mother, Terry Welch; father, James Welch; sister-in-law, Julie Van Puffelen and is survived by his brothers, David (Sue) Welch; Douglas Welch (Julie); and sister, Jamie Schmitz; his nieces and nephews, Ashley, Lindsay, Kelsey, Henry, Walter, Brynn & Casey. He is further survived by aunts, uncles, cousins and best friend Jim Wilbur.

Special thank you to his friend Dan Erbach, who assisted Mike with many appointments and looked in on him for us. We appreciated all you did for him.

The family has chosen to have a private gathering to remember Mike. In lieu of flowers, donations to your local mental health facility can be made in his memory.

~ Beam him up Scotty!

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N Sherman Ave

608-249-8257

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Condolences

  • November 03, 2022

    Cassi

    May he Rest In Peace finally ❤️ y'all should really post a true obituary story though!

  • June 14, 2022

    kathy lemon

    Jamie, Doug, and Dave I am so sorry to hear about Mike. He is now with Aunt Terri and Uncle Jim and also my Dad. I work at a Community Mental Health Center so i know see daily the struggles people have with Mental illness. My prayers are with your families. Love Kathy

  • June 14, 2022

    Lori-Country Meadows Apts.

    I would like to express my sincere condolences on the recent loss of Mike. Mike has been a part of our Country Meadows family for nearly 40 years. I will cherish the numerous conversations we've shared about Star Trek, Wolverine Man and comic books throughout the years. Mike was quite the story teller. He will be very missed!

  • June 14, 2022

    Mary Jean Cunningham

    Thinking of all of you during this difficult time! I will always remember his kindness and contagious smile. His love of art ,his drawings and family. Memories last forever, Thoughts and Prayers. Love to all Aunt Mary Jean

  • June 14, 2022

    Karen Cunningham Riselay

    Our hearlfelt sympathy to all of you. He was always so kind. We will keep your family in our prayers. Your message about depression and mental health is beautiful, we can only hope that our world learns to cope with mental health the way they should. Thank you for sharing this message. The Joseph Cunningham family.

  • June 14, 2022

    Terry McGinnity

    I loved hanging out at the Welch house as a kid and Mike was always a big part of that experience. My fondest memory of him was when he made the film (starring his brothers) that was a take on The Sting-he did a fabulous job and it was a very happy time for the Welch clan. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Jamie, Dave and old-pal Doug. Thanks for the memories.

  • June 14, 2022

    Sandra Shunk Country Meadows

    I just wanted to send my deepest sympathy to the Welch family and numerous friends. I will miss the conversations I had with Mike over the years here at Country Meadows. It always broke my heart to see how he struggled with his mental illness but he still went on everyday with that big smile on his face. Rest easy Mike, you will be missed by many

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