Dan E Welburn

Dan E Welburn passed away peacefully on October 23, 2022 at the age of 91. Dan was born January 26, 1931, in Three Rivers, Michigan and graduated from Otsego High School in 1949. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1953 with a BA in history and secondary education. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1959 with a master’s degree in secondary administration, he also took advanced studies at Michigan State University. He married his high school sweetheart, Pauline (Polly) Baker in 1952. Dan and Polly celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on September 6, 2022. Dan is survived by his wife, Pauline (Baker) Welburn, children; John (Anne) Welburn, Tom (Marcy) Welburn, and Mary (Barry) Wall; grandchildren, Jessica (Ryan) Geetings, Brian Welburn, Andy (Sarah) Welburn, Scott (Dallas) Welburn, Forrest Kreider, Nick (Katie Bethel) Kreider, Rich (Lexi) Ruelas, ten great grandchildren and Nephew, Bob (Sally) Morris. He was predeceased by his parents, Claude and Opal Welburn, sister, Sona (Basil) Morris, and grandson, Joe Welburn. Dan was a member of the staff of the Michigan Education Association for twenty-six years, twenty of them as a state lobbyist for Michigan teachers. During his time with the MEA he worked successfully to preserve and advance job security and collective bargaining rights for teachers and public school employees, improved retirement laws incorporating cost of living adjustments and health insurance. He was involved in a number of state-wide campaigns defeating efforts to use tax funds for private schools. After his career with the MEA, he worked as state public affairs director of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan. He was a life-long member of the Congregational Church, which became a part of the United Church of Christ where he served as a leader in churches in Battle Creek, East Lansing, Onekama, and Fruitland Park, Florida. Over the past few years Dan and Polly attended Traverse Bay United Methodist Church in Traverse City. Dan and Polly lived in Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Enterprise, Alabama; Columbus, Georgia; Battle Creek, East Lansing, Onekama, The Villages, Florida and finally, Traverse City, Michigan. Dan served twenty-one months in the U.S. Army at Camp Rucker, Alabama, and Fort Benning, Georgia where he received an honorable discharge. He enjoyed fishing with family and friends, early on at Pine Lake near Kalamazoo, later on at Portage Lake in Onekama, as well as salmon fishing in Lake Michigan and many hours in West Grand Traverse Bay. A memorial service honoring Dan will take place at 3:00 p.m., with visitation starting at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Rev. Jane Lippert will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Dan’s name to the charity of your choice. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Dan’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Dan E Welburn

January 26, 1931 - October 23, 2022