Eugene H Welsch

Eugene H. Welsch passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025 at the age of 95.  

Born on July 15, 1930 in Lake Worth, Florida, Gene grew up in a close and loving family during the Great Depression.  He attended Drexel University in Philadelphia where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Later he served in the U.S. Army from 1955 - 1957 where he was stationed in Germany as a First Lieutenant.

Gene married the love of his life Thelma M. Brilke in 1960, a marriage that would span an amazing 65 years.  Together they raised 3 sons, John, Steve, and Gary while always putting God and family first.  As devout Christians, Gene and Thelma lived their faith daily.  Along with several other families, they founded the First Evangelical Free Church of St. Louis, a church that began with just 15 people meeting in their homes and grew to over 2500 members in a church located in St. Louis County.

Although educated as an engineer, Gene found he really enjoyed personal interaction with people over mechanical design so decided to apply his technical expertise to a career in industrial sales engineering.  He worked at several companies over the years in Kansas City, New York, Omaha, and Chicago, but he spent the largest amount of his career in St. Louis where he was the branch manager at Goulds Pumps, Inc, responsible for all branch operations and and Midwest sales.

Gene loved to see the world and he and Thelma enjoyed taking trips across America and overseas.  They traveled to Hawaii and Alaska, but also to many countries abroad including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Canada, Israel, Jordan, Australia, and New Zealand, often choosing longer trips so they could take time to immerse themselves in the culture of the people and fully explore all of the wonders of God's creation.

When he retired, Gene and Thelma escaped the cold Midwest winters and initially headed to Naples, Florida, where they enjoyed the warm temperatures and sunny beaches of the South.  Eventually they moved to Gainesville, Georgia, where they could be closer to family and enjoy their retirement years in the natural beauty of the area.

In his final years, Gene's favorite joy was simply being with Thelma, loving her, cherishing her, and reflecting on the many wonderful years they shared together.

Eugene is survived by his sons Gary A. Welsch (Bridget), Steven L. Welsch (Sheilah), his daughter-in-law, Vicky Welsch; his four grandchildren, Brian Welsch, Lainey Kennedy, Cade Welsch and Ivey Welsch; and seven great-grandchildren. He was welcomed into heaven by his beloved wife Thelma M. Welsch, his parents, Otto and Katherine Welsch; brothers, Harold J. Welsch and Otto Welsch, sisters, Eleanor Pike and Anita Moyer; and his son, John W. Welsch.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10:30am on January 20, 2026 at McGill-Scarbrough Chapel, Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, GA where family and friends will gather to honor his memory.  A private military funeral will follow at the National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

Those wishing to leave condolences, may do so at hillsidechapelfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are being overseen by Hillside Chapel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1190 McEver Rd. Gainesville GA 30504

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