Ralph Robert Welton

December 02 , 1932 - April 04 , 2026

LIVE LIVE STREAM FUNERAL SERVICE

Ralph Robert Welton

December 02 , 1932 - April 04 , 2026

VISITATIONS:

Thursday, April 9, 2026

2:00 ~ 7:00 PM

Michigan Memorial Funeral Home

SERVICES:

Thursday, April 9, 2026

7:00 PM

Michigan Memorial Funeral Home

Interment:

Michigan Memorial Park

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Obituary

Ralph Robert Welton of Taylor, Michigan, passed away in Riverview, Michigan on April 4, 2026 at the age of 93.

Ralph was born on December 2, 1932 in Southwest Detroit, where he eventually met and married his beloved wife of 64 years, Roberta (Clem) Welton (1936-2019).

Together they raised six children: Ralph Jr. (Sharlene Trongo) Welton, Diana (Chuck) Rushing, Ronald Welton, David (Sheri Holloway) Welton, Robert Welton, and Brian (Sara Johnson) Welton.

Ralph was the loving grandfather of eight: Angelene (Douglas) Welton, Jeremy Rushing, Jennifer (Greg) Thompson, Joshua (Angela) Welton, Jessica (Jon) Woolum, Tanner Welton, Kennedy (Rudolfo) Pantoja, and Hannah (Reginald Jr.) Burnette.

He will also be missed by great-grandchildren Kendal, Garret, Bennet, Eleanor, Adelaide, Elijah, Nathan, Matthew, Jayden, Kayleigh, and Melina, as well as great, great grandson Quincy.

In addition to his wife Roberta, Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Edna (Winde) Welton, and three siblings - brother Carl Jr. (Ruth Priebe) Welton, sister Joyce (Ronald) Meyers, and brother Daniel (Maggie Derisco) Welton.

Condolences

My heart is deeply saddened., Ralph you will be truly missed 😢 I looked at you like a father figure Through Rob. The kindness You and your Roberta showed me from the time I met you both Deeply touched my heart. Fly high with the angels. And I know you're where you wanna be with your beautiful wife. I will always remember the talks We all had when I would visit you both and just you. When Rob and myself would come over, every moment meant the world to me, I will truly miss miss you ..You was always so kind to me. Love you with all my heart, my condolence is to all the family hugs and prayers.. Tonya Nicolai
Oh Sheri I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law passing. I know it’s heartbreaking and oh so difficult to accept. My thoughts are with you and Dave Sheri💔💔 Charlene Fegan
So very sorry. Obviously a great dad, based on his children. My deepest condolences. Margaret Goforth
My heart is sad, but I know Ralph is happy and at peace with his beloved “Bert”💕 two of the greatest neighbors anyone could ask for. Rest in peace my friend🙏🏻💙 Lauren Z.
My dear Michigan family, I just finished watching Uncle Ralph's celebration of life from my little apartment in Vienna, Austria. I am so honored to share your DNA! (A reference to "Little Ralph's love for genealogy.) You reflected the compassion of our Lord in how you cared for Uncle Ralph in his last years! The whole service was honoring to God. And I was reminded again of my incredible heritage: One of faith. And honesty. And humor. Wish I could have been there. So thankful Lori and Scott were there. Big hug from Vienna, Austria. Lisa Meyers
Sure going to miss my brorther & my friend . Our world is at a loss today in the form of a man who's heart was greater than his stature. I first had the pleasure of meeting Brother Ralph during a time when I was in need of a hand reaching out to draw me into the family of Christ. As a new Christian you need those who are rooted so that our shacky legs can be pointed towards the firm foundation of Christ Jesus . Ralph was that well rooted mighty oak . I thank God for him. As I sat with pen in hand not knowing where it may lead , I thought about our time togther through the years . And then some of our more resent visits . My thoughts went forth to just a couple weeks ago. Now as one gets to this point in life you never know what you are going to get . That day I arrived with coffee & donuts in one hand and scripture of healing in the other. Waliking into his room it became evident that conversation was going to have to take a backseat. My poor brother was pretty out of it. I didn't know if it was the medication or just the process . Then he started stirring a bit , eyes still closed he managed to get his hands out from beneath the blanket. My heart wasn't prepared for what came next . One thing for sure , he was missing her . Ralph gently put out his hands as to craddle Roberta's head , then went through the motion of kissing her . 65 yrs. togrther can never be erased . I stood there and couldn't help but feel intrusive . In that moment they were together . Now no more moments , but forever more. My brother then leaned back and was fast asleep. As I sat in the chair next to his bed , I quietly unfolded the scripture , grabbed his hand and proceeded to read it over him . In the middle of reading Ralph opened his eyes wide , looks at me and says ROBERT ! I thought it was somebody that I didn't like ! LOL ! We both started to chuckle..... Philippians 1:20 reads ~ I eagerly expect and hope that I within no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body by life or by death .... Forever stained in my memory I will hear brother Ralph saying . " If there were no hell to shun and no heaven to gain , I'd love him (Jesus) anyway . " ~ Brother Ralph : I am so glad that you liked me & that Father God showed me His love through you . ~ Forever your brother ~ Robert Ralph Welton
It’s been over a week since returning from Uncle Ralph’s service, and I’ve found myself thinking about how many people we have the ability to touch in our lifetime. When I was seven, our families went to Boblo. My siblings each had a cousin to pair up with for rides, but I was born between Rob and Brian which meant….no ride buddy. As we passed the Fun House, I said, “I want to do that.” The other adults said no; there wasn’t anyone to go with me. That’s when Uncle Ralph perked up: “I’ll go with her.” At seven years old, I thought he was doing me a favor. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I might have been doing him one. Uncle Ralph always had the heart of a kid, in a full adult size body. I can still see him, knees tucked up to his chest under that safety bar, laughing his deep, joyful laugh at every twist and turn. It was just one moment in time, 51 years ago, but it was a deposit into my life that can never be taken away. My more recent memories are just as meaningful. His weekly phone calls with his sister, Joyce. Mom and Uncle Ralph would quote scripture back and forth, and while they both said it encouraged each other, I always sensed a little friendly competition over who could finish the verse first. It still makes me smile. God truly had His hand on the Welton four. Our Grandma did what she could do, given her situation. Her kids did what they could do, given their situation without a father, and now it’s on us to continue to raise that bar. I love you all dearly, and I’m so sorry for the physical loss of your dad. But I know he is exactly where he’s always wanted to be, with his Savior. Love to you all - Lori Lori Farstad