WELLING, John Andrew 95, left this life to be with the Lord on April 25, 2016, at his home in Middletown. He was born in Cincinnati on December 1, 1920 to Teresa (Ritzi) and John George Welling and married Mary Alice "Mitzi" Stahl on September 20, 1947 at St. John's Catholic Church in Middletown. He started this life meagerly, but through his hard work and faith, he surpassed most to live a truly fulfilling and astounding life. As a child, kids nicknamed him and his siblings the "apple core kids", because they often requested to have others' apple leftovers. Nonetheless, his loving mother worked diligently to raise successful children. After high school, John joined the Merchant Marines, assisting in World War II. He was present at D-Day in Normandy, France, and off the Pacific Coast, he was one of only seven boats (out of 27) to survive bombings by Germany. After the war, John married Mitzi, built and ran Welling's Supermarket in Middletown, and became an electrician. Later, he traded the store for his farm. He was an excellent and hardworking farmer. He was also a faithful member of Holy Name Catholic Church, member of Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. John and Mitzi had five children. He is survived by three of his beloved children, Jane (Mike), Jerome (Libby) and Jennifer (Charles); ten grandchildren, Natalie (Kenny), Julie (Jesse), Emily (Ryan), Molly (Mike), Justin (Samantha), Tashina, Abigail (Patrick), Ian (Amanda), Dylan and Ivy; and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mitzi Welling; son, John & Jim; grandchildren, Levon and Sterling; parents; and several brothers and sisters. The Welling Family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Atrium Medical Center in Middletown for their attentiveness and loving care. Family, friends, and other whose lives John touched are invited to a visitation at John's farm at 2015 Middletown-Eaton Rd. on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 9:30 - 11:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 noon at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 222 Hamilton Ave., Trenton with Father Thomas H. McCarthy as celebrant. Interment will be at Elk Creek Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Middletown Combined Honor Guard. There will be a luncheon at Holy Name's Parish Hall after the burial. Memorial donations may be made to , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please sign the guestbook online at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com

Published in Journal-News on Apr. 27, 2016