FARMDALE - Gretchen Champiney-Welch, 51, died unexpectedly Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, in Farmington. The cause of death is pending.
She was born Sept. 1, 1961, in Warren, the daughter of Robert and Shirley Banks Kline, and had lived in Ohio and on the East Coast.
A graduate of Westfield High School in Massachusetts, Gretchen was a stay-at-home mom, actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. A member of Christ Episcopal Church, she had been a home-school teacher and soccer coach, and enjoyed reading, taking photos, the Boston Red Sox and the Miami Dolphins.
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Surviving are her husband, Nelson Welch, whom she married in 2007; eight children, Paul (Kristy) Nevins of Newton Falls, Meghan (Michael A. Chorba) Nevins of Middlefield, Jeremy (Sophia) Johnson of Newton Falls, Marc Champiney of Farmdale, Cody Welch of Oregon, and Dominic Welch, Zachary Champiney and Andrew Welch, all of Farmdale; four grandchildren, Ethan Johnson, Mason Nevins, Gabriel Johnson and Michael E. Chorba; a brother, Brad Kline of Massachusetts; and her former husband, Edward Champiney of Massachusetts.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a daughter, Jamie Champiney.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Roberts-Clark Chapel, Lane Family Funeral Home in Warren. A memorial service will be conducted privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for the care of Gretchen's younger children.
Arrangements are entrusted to Roberts-Clark Chapel, Lane Family Funeral Homes, 180 Garfield Drive N.E., Warren, OH 44483. Visit www.robertsclarkchapel.com to view this obituary and send condolences.
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