Thomas L. Welsch 1969-2026

He was born Oct. 19, 1969, in Akron, the son of the late Lloyd Thomas Welsch and Nellie Marie Longenecker Welsch.

Tom lived in New Franklin for the last 11 years and was formerly of Paris Township, where he graduated from Southeast High School in the Class of 1988. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army, then worked as a self-employed truck driver for over 33 years at Landstar Systems and Barnhart Transportation.

Tom received multiple driving awards and drove his truck over three million miles accident-free. He loved riding motorcycles, boating, camping, fishing, building hot rods and going to NHRA events.

Tom was a member of VFW Post #3332 in Newton Falls and the Born Free Motorcycle Club.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Nellie Welsch, and one niece, Katelyn Nicole Welsch.

Tom is survived by one brother, Mike Welsch of Ellsworth; three nieces, Jennifer, Bridget and Alaina; one nephew, Nick; his great-nephew, Mac; and his good friends, Ron and Cindy Hart of Newton Falls, and Charles “Chuckles” Dunsieth of Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the James Funeral Home, Newton Falls, with the Rev. Jennifer Dorn officiating. Calling hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the service.

He will be laid to rest beside his parents in Hawley Cemetery, Paris Township.

The family has requested that all donations please be made to Dogs For Our Brave, 6244 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63139; DAV (Disabled American Veterans), PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, in his memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, OH 44444, 330-872-5440. Family and friends may view his obituary online or send condolences at www.jamesfuneralhomeinc.com.

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