Dover D. Welch, 80, of Franklin, entered into rest Friday, January 14, 2005.

A native of Macon County, he was the son of the late Austin L. and Pearl Morgan Welch. In addition to his parents. Dover was a U.S. Marine Corp. veteran of WWII and was a member of the American Legion Post 108. He retired from General Motors with 30 years of service. He was a member of Rose Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Evans Welch; six children Judy Ann Welch Griffith and Perry Lynn Welch of Franklin, Michael Welch of California, Richard C. Welch, Jeffrey Welch, and Teena L. Welch all of Franklin, NC; two brothers, Claude Welch and Glenn Welch both of Franklin; two sisters, Dorothy Cliff, and Joyce Carter, both of Michigan; twelve grandchildren, three great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, January 17 in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Steve Reeves and Rev. Abe Brooks will officiate. Burial will be in the Moore Welch Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 7339 and American Legion Post 108.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, January 16, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Mike Welch, Scott Welch, Josh Welch, Jesse Welch, Chris Griffith and Nick Griffith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lewis Rathbun Wellness Center, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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