Antonia M. Welch "Tonie/Tonka," age 74 of Black Oak - Gary, IN passed away peacefully on November 25, 2018 at Vibra Hospital in Crown Point, IN with her family by her side. She was born on December 20, 1943 in Gary, IN to her late parents, Frank and Anne (Barbush) Gursky. She was a member of Calumet High Schools, Class of 1961. Antonia was married for 37 years to her husband, Roy A. Welch who passed away on October 28, 1998. Also preceding her in death was her brother, Joseph Gursky; grandson, Anthony Brown II, and son-in-law, Jeff Huff, Sr. Antonia leaves to cherish her memory, sister, Diane (Don) Slater of Valparaiso; brother, Frank Gursky, Jr. of Black Oak - Gary; sister Anna Fisher (Richard Kersten) of New Preston, CT; her four children, Jeffrey (Kathy) of Oak Lawn, IL, Debra (Charlie) Holbrook of Leburn, KY, Steven (Barbara Thomas) of Black Oak - Gary and Vicke (Hal) Hogue of Merrillville; eight grandchildren, Stephanie, Jacqueline, Krystal, Lisa, Michael, Joshua, Heather and Jeffrey; 16 great-grandchildren, Destiny, Haley, Emily, Aliya, Andrew, Amelia, Caden, Gabriel, Khloe, Kynleigh, Kyra, Cody, Phoenix, Greycen, Jaxen and Ethan; one great-great-granddaughter, Julia; many nieces and nephews. She was affectionately known to most everyone as "Grandma Tonie" or "GT." Antonia liked to watch Sci-Fi movies, Rachel Ray's cooking show, anything Elvis Presley and loved "all" of her pet cats. She will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her. The Family will receive friends at the Ridgelawn Funeral Home, 4201 West Ridge Road, Gary, IN 46408 (219) 980-5555 on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Main Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at the St. Ann's Catholic Church, 6025 W. 25th Avenue, Gary, IN 46406 on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Stephen Kosinski, officiating. Interment will be at the Ridgelawn Cemetery, 4401 West Ridge Road, Gary, IN 46408.
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