Benjamin David Welke

Benjamin David Welke
October 18th, 1977 – August 31st, 2020
Beloved son, grandson, brother, uncle, co-worker and friend passed away suddenly at Mid-Michigan Medical Center- Midland, after a very short fight with pancreatic cancer. To know Ben was to love Ben. He drew people in with his king-sized heart and he loved with everything he had. He gave lavishly of his time, abilities and finances. If he caught wind of a need, or overheard a simple want, he made it his personal mission to “make it happen”. There is nothing he loved more than taking care of people. It’s just what he did, and he did it so well. He was the best at “saving the day” and was everyone’s protector & encourager. He loved to tell his stories, but he listened just as well. No one left Ben’s company without feeling valued and heard. Ben was truly one of a kind. His loyalty as a son, grandson, brother, uncle, co-worker and friend was unmatched.

Ben was born in Alma, MI to the late David and Cindy Welke of Merrill, MI and resided in Merrill his entire life. Ben was integral to the success of the Welke family farm. He loved country living, raising livestock and the smell of fresh hay. He graduated as valedictorian of the Merrill High class of 1996 and earned a Bachelor of Science from SVSU in 2000. He had a brilliant memory and mind and worked for Nexteer Automotive as a mechanical engineer. Ben abundantly loved & cared for his family, co-workers and friends. He loved the Lord and was a member of Merrill Congregational Christian Church. He served as the church treasurer, board member and guest speaker. In his free time, Ben loved to read, help others, plow snow, spend time with his family and friends and travel to his annual “Happy Place” of Drummond Island, MI to vacation and fish. He was an inspiration to all he met and his sister Pam was his greatest fan.

Ben was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George R. & Flossie M. Welke and his parents David G. & Cindy J. Welke. Surviving Ben are his maternal grandparents, Robert L. & Arlene P. Strong, his sister Pamela (Aaron) Hales, half-brother Bryan (Evette) Welke, half-sister Tammy Perkins, his nieces & nephews, Sammie, Katie & Andrew Hales, Tonia & Steven Welke, Stephanie, Derek & Daniel Perkins, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and dearly treasured friends & co-workers.

Honoring Ben’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ben’s life will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at Merrill Wesleyan Church (3765 N. Chapin Rd., Merrill) at 11am. The family will greet guests prior to the service at 10am. In alignment with Ben’s devotion to providing for his family, those wishing to offer a gift of sympathy may consider contributing to the college and trust funds of Samantha, Katelyn and Andrew Hales.

May Ben’s well-lived life always spur us on to extraordinary love, kindness and generosity.