Lance Coporal Timothy E. Welense (USMC, Disabled)

Chicago, IL formerly of Saginaw, MI

Lost his battle with bladder cancer on Friday, March 7, 2025. He passed away at home surrounded by his wife Joy (Kuflewski), their son Bill, and daughter-in-law Bonnie (Rosenberg). Tim is additionally survived by his grandson Elliot and best friend Fred Fobear.

Tim cherished family and had an enormously kind and giving heart. Born September 14, 1956 in Saginaw, MI, he was the adopted only-child of loving parents William E. and Laura J. Welense (Cramer). He grew up on Morris St. and first met his wife Joy, in Kindergarten at Jesse Loomis Elementary School.

Tim joined the United States Marine Corps in 1975, serving as a rifle expert at Parris Island, SC and in Rabat, Morocco. He was honorably discharged in 1978 when an injury left him disabled.

In 1992, Tim joined the Catholic Church. He and Joy were active members of St. Thomas Aquinas, where Tim was an usher at the 4:00 pm mass. Tim was honored when his mentor Jerry Groll invited him to join the Knights of Columbus council 4232.

In 2020, Tim and Joy relocated from their hometown of Saginaw, MI to Chicago, IL to welcome their grandson, Elliot. For the next 4.5 years, Tim spent several days each week playing with Elliot, saying in his final days, “I couldn’t ask for a better last few years.”

Throughout his life, Tim donated to charities of all kinds. Tim would be honored to have donations in his name made to the Disabled American Veterans, Hidden Harvest of Saginaw, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, or the Anti-Defamation League.

A memorial liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 17, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5376 State St. Saginaw. Fr. T. J. Fleming and Fr. Steve Gavit will officiate with interment in Chicago. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. from 4:00-8:00 p.m. where a vigil service will take place at 6:30 p.m. and on Monday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial liturgy. Please share your words of condolences with the family at www.casefuneralhome.com