Mary Loreen Scott Welch, age 90 of Vestaburg, MI, died January 24, 2019 at the Isabella County Health Care Facility in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Mary was born November 23, 1928 at the home of her parents, Percy T. and Myra Amanda (Avery) Scott in Ferris Township. She was the fourth child and one of the four oldest daughters, the" Matriarchs" of the Scott Family; Mildred, Lois, Naomi and Mary.Mary attended Vestaburg Community Schools. In high School she was a member of the Women's Basketball team which was undefeated for four years, a feat that made her very proud. She graduated from VHS in 1945 and enrolled in Mt. Pleasant Beauty School where she received her cosmetology license. She was self-employed for many years calling her business the Vestaburg Beauty Shop. In 1946 she met Merle E. Welch of Riverdale, MI. They were united in marriage on October 18, 1947 in Alma, MI. This union was blessed with five children. Together Merle and Mary supported their children's many church and school events serving in leadership roles in the PTA and the Band Boosters organization. The family….all 5 kids in the back seat…traveled throughout Michigan and Canada on many family trips. Merle and Mary were always teaching their children about the state of Michigan and loved sharing the many vacation spots and points of interest. They also enjoyed their Cabin in Farwell, MI for many years, using it as a location to hunt fish and relax. Mary drove school bus for the Vestaburg Community Schools and later enjoyed driving bus for the Montcalm Intermediate School District and staying at the school each day to serve as aid and instructor for handicapped and disadvantaged children. Knowing the need for good homes for foster children, Mary and Merle opened their home and began a series of foster care homes that served many adult women and men. One foster daughter, Maxine Seymour came to the Welch home at age 16 and stayed until her death June 7, 2014. Maxine considered Mary and Merle her Mother and Father. Mary was a life-long member of the Ferris Center Church of Christ where she served in many capacities including teacher of Vacation Bible School, women's activities and working in the "Baby Pantry" along with her foster daughters. For years she enjoyed helping, behind the scenes, VHS students who needed help with a letter jacket, class ring, yearbook or special clothing. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Merle E. Welch who died March 25, 2009. Her Son, Steven Gary Welch who died June 11, 2001, her mother, Myra and her father, Percy, her sisters Mildred Neilson, Naomi Beach, Lois Welch, Doris Orwig, Janet Hacker and brothers Robert Scott, Percy (Perk) Scott, Jr. , Gary Scott. Mary will be sadly missed by her children: Audrey Jean Welch Raby Stump and her husband Jerry of White Pigeon, MI , Lynn Ann Welch Phillippe Maricle and her husband R. Scott of Hanover, IN , Karen Kay Welch Essex of Alma, MI, and Daughter-in –Law Cindy Burns (Steven) Welch of Vestaburg, MI and Merle Robert Welch, of Edmore, MI, 17 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren, 20 Great-Great Grandchildren , her sisters Linda Scott Ingram and her husband Ralph of Mt. Pleasant, MI , Myra (Mug)Scott Stoudt of Perrinton, MI , Paul Scott and his wife Judy of Vestaburg, MI , and many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 11 am at the Ferris Center Church of Christ with Pastors Josh Rude and George Showers officiating. Interment will follow in Ferris Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 31st from 4-8 pm at Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home, Riverdale. Memorials may be made to the Ferris Center Church of Christ and/or the Vestaburg High School Band. To view Mary's obituary online or leave a condolence for the family please visit

Published by Morning Sun from Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, 2019.