John P. "Butch" Welsh, 73, of Madisonburg, formerly of Bellmawr, NJ, passed peacefully from this life on Monday, April 30, 2012 in Altoona.

John, a son of the late Vincent and Louisa V. Ford Welsh, was born in Bellmawr, NJ on February 8, 1939.

On May 6, 1960, John married the love of his life, Patricia L. Galm, who survives at their home in Madisonburg.

John is also survived by three daughters, Desiree L. Welsh of Madisonburg, Michelle A. Welsh of Bellmawr, NJ, and Shareen M. Welsh of Crossville, TN; twin sons, John Paul Welsh, Jr. of Mt. Ephraim, NJ and Paul John Welsh of Bellmawr, NJ. and one sister, Louise Clowney of Bellmawr, NJ. Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren, Christopher, Anthony, Lisa, Nichole, Joshua, Jason, Edward, Theresa, Monica, John Paul III, Jeanine, Hunter, Paulina, and Paul John , Jr.; ten great grandchildren, Andre, Lea, Nicholas, Joshua Jr, Makayla, Justin, Xadrian, Destiny, Seth, Kyler plus one on the way, Giovanna and special lifetime friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Vincent and Charles Welsh.

John proudly served his country as a seaman in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Randolph CVS 15. John was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Bellmawr, NJ, and the Miles Twp. Fire Dept. in Rebersburg. He was an avid hunter and fisherman in his spare time. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother. His sudden passing has left a huge void in our lives and we will miss him greatly.

There will be a viewing Monday morning from 10 to 11am at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE, 126 S. BLACK HORSE PIKE, RUNNEMEDE, NJ. Funeral Service Monday 11am. John will be laid to rest in Bethel Cemetery in Pennsauken, NJ. Contribution in memory of John may be sent to the DAV, 1000 Liberty Ave., Rm. 1606, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222. Family and friends may share memories at www.GardnerFuneralHome.com