Major Steven Dale Welch

Major Steven Dale Welch Major Steve Welch was born on January 18, 1954, one of five Salvation Army officer children of Majors Jeffery L. (Promoted to Glory) and Shirley M. Welch (Promoted to Glory). He lived in several western Michigan and northern Indiana cities and graduated from North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Upon completing a Bachelor of Music Education program at Indiana University, Major Steve met his bride-to-be, Mary Johnson, at The Salvation Army’s Southern Territorial Music Institute at Camp Keystone, Florida. The Welches were married at The Salvation Army, Melbourne, Florida Corps on January 7, 1978 and entered The Salvation Army School for Officers Training School that fall. In 1980, they were commissioned by General Arnold Brown at the National Congress in Kansas City as Proclaimers of Salvation. Together with their family, they held appointments in Jacksonville Florida 1980 Orange Park, FL 1980-1983, Chickasha, OK 1983-1985, McAlester 1985-1989, Shawnee 1989-1992, Gainesville 1992-1998, Sebring 1998-2003, Pensacola 2003-2006, Key West 2006-2009 Meridian, MS 2009-2012, Selma, AL 2012-2016, Vicksburg, MS 2016- and finally retired from active service, along with Mary, from Vicksburg, Mississippi in 2020. They retired from active service to Lakeland, Florida where Steve remained an active bandsmen and songster until his health prohibited him from doing so. Steve was an artist, Rotarian, and an Order of the Arrow Boy Scout. An active band member, composer, and humble teacher to anyone who asked, he was a member of the Buglers Across America, Divisional Bands of the IN, ALM, FL, and AOK Divisions, as well as community bands in every city he called home. Major Steve Welch is survived by his wife of 46 years, Major Mary Welch; Captain Rebekah Swyers (Major Phil) of Atlanta, GA, Major Bethany Delaney (Tim) of Jackson, MS, Captain Christopher Welch (Jessica) of St. Petersburg, FL; four siblings, Major Keith (Sherrie) of Holland, MI, Major Jonathan (Kim) of Indiana, Major Valerie McDowell (Jim) of Ludington, MI, and Glenn (Sarah) of Marion, IN; as well as grandchildren, Victoria Swyers, Allie Robertson (Blake), Julia Swyers, Jubilee Delaney, Zoe Delaney, Israel Delaney, Liam Welch, Tripp Swyers, Wes Swyers, and Rafaël Welch; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also expecting his first great-grandson in March. Interment will take place in Ludington, MI.

Major Steven Dale Welch

January 18, 1954 - January 14, 2024