Joan Welch March 9, 1943 - March 17, 2026 Joan Welch, age 83, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, passed peacefully on March 17, 2026. Born March 9th,1943, to Joe and Edna Weiglein in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up, she had a happy childhood. She was very close with her grandparents and enjoyed trips to Alaska with her father. Joan attended Taft High School in Chicago before studying at Elmhurst College. She then moved to California, where she spent a few years before returning to Illinois. Once she was back in the Chicagoland area, "Joanie" went on to have a 30-year career as an X-ray technician at Lutheran General Hospital. In 1973, Joan met Guy "Lad" Welch, whom she married in July 1974, becoming a proud "Bonus Mom" to his five children: Steve, Debe, Donna, Linda and Kenny, who she loved and cared for as her own.  In 1976, Guy and Joan moved to Lake Zurich before settling in Prospect Heights in 1985. After 38 wonderful years in their Prospect Heights home, they moved to Luther Village in 2023. Joan quickly made friends and joined myriad social groups, including an art group, a knitting group, a decorating group and a gardening group, as well as a weekly Bible study. Together with Guy, Joan loved to travel. Traveling the U.S in their motor home, the two of them made many memories together, including wonderful times spent with their children and grandchildren in Door County and the Yogi Bear campsite. Joan also traveled to Europe and Palestine and enjoyed many cruises. Her favorite getaway was Delavan Lake Resort, where she and Guy purchased a condo in 2016, spending their days enjoying the view of the lake, swimming and hosting the family. When they weren't globetrotting, Joan could often be found in her garden or visiting yard sales and antique shows. Joan will be missed for her compassion, humor and incredible wisdom and advice. She was loving, kind, patient, and always available for a phone call, greeting loved ones with an enthusiastic "Well, hi there!" An impeccable host, Joan kept a tidy home and was always ready to welcome visitors. Whether she was gathering the family for the annual Mt. Prospect Fourth of July Parade, organizing family vacations, or hosting holidays and birthday parties, Joan had a knack for bringing people together. Christmas always felt extra magical, thanks to the annual Christmas Eve dinner she hosted for her family. In fact, her grandkids believe she was at the top of Santa's Nice List, as he always left a big sack of presents for them on the back step at her request. Joan took any opportunity to spoil her grandchildren, who have many fond memories of trips to the circus, Medieval Times, museums, shows, the American Girl store, and "the train restaurant." She lived her girlie childhood dreams through her "chickadees" by making them beautiful dresses and doll clothes, going to tea parties, and treating them to mani/pedis. In true "Grandma Joan" fashion, she captured all these memories and more in the scrapbooks she made each of them for their 18th birthdays. Joan loved to create, crafting innumerable beautiful pieces over the years. She sewed, quilted, knit, and crocheted, and her house was filled with her handmade porcelain dolls, for which she won many awards. She cooked, baked, mixed apple martinis, and maybe most importantly, she made the best root beer floats. Her loved ones cherish the many handmade gifts she gave them over the years, as they reflect both her creativity and her generous spirit. With those incredibly talented (and always perfectly manicured) hands, she also gave amazing hugs. An active member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Joan had a deep faith. She loved being part of her church community, where she baked communion bread and constantly brought new ideas (which they are still implementing today). In fact, she loved God so much she was baptized twice—once as a baby and once as an adult in the Jordan River, where Jesus was also baptized. "The thing of it is," Joan will be deeply missed by her husband Guy Welch; her beloved children Debe Welch, Donna (Jim) Jurich, Linda (Terry) Carr, Ken Welch and his partner Krista Gruendler; her late son Steve's loving wife Rene (Jerry) Welch-Latzke; eight grandchildren Jenny (Brian) Furgala, Steve Welch, Jaci Price, Ryan (Echo Pang) Gianni, Brandon Collie, Jami Lyn Jurich, Anna (Lucas) Megleo, Nick Jurich; her 10 great-grandchildren Ryann and Jason Furgala; Lilian, Zander and Quinn Price; Kai and Rae Gianni; Brayden Collie; Charlie Rae and Madison Megleo; her Goddaughter Cami Nordahl; along with many dear friends. She's now happily reunited in Heaven with her parents Joe and Edna, her grandparents, her son Steve Welch, and her grandson Michael Jurich. Her life will be celebrated on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1111 North Elmhurst Rd., Prospect Heights, IL 60070. Visitation will be held at 10 AM, followed by church service at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, or to the American Cancer Society at this online link (donate.cancer.org). For more information, please visit https://www.funerals.pro/ or call (847) 537-6600.