Obituary of Kenneth Welden, Jr.

Kenneth "Butch" Welden, Jr., 68, of Fairfield Twp. died on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at his home following an extended illness. Born in Bridgeton on May 20, 1945 to the late Kenneth Welden, Sr. and Doris Burt Welden, he was the husband of Joan Turpin Welden. After growing up in Newport, "Butch" had been a resident of Fairfield Township for the past 48 years. Prior to his retirement in 2006, "Butch" had worked as a machine repairman at Durrand Glass in Millville. He had also been previously employed by George Burt Printing and Ashford Labs both in Fairfield Twp. He had been an active member of the Fairton Volunteer Fire Co. from February 11, 1975 to April 21, 1991. He had held the positions of Chief Engineer and Captain. He and Earl Champion were the first certified instructors for the Jaws of Life in Cumberland County. This allowed Fairton Volunteer Fire Co. to be the first fire company in South Jersey to maintain and operate the Jaws of Life. He had been life member of the New Jersey State Fireman's Relief Association. "Butch" enjoyed fishing, crabbing, gardening, working on cars and maintaining his back yard fish pond in his leisure time. Besides his wife Joan, he is survived by his children, Terri Schillinger of Bridgeton and Kenneth J. Welden of Fairfield Twp., four sisters, Shirley Teixeira of Quinton Twp., Jeannie Griner-Welden of NC, Connie Wagner of Fairfield Twp. and Darlene Durham of Fairfield Twp.; a brother, David Welden of Cedarville; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Bonnie Griner and a brother, Marshall Welden, Sr. Funeral services will be held at the PADGETT FUNRERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. on Tuesday, February 4th at 1:30 PM. Interment will take place at Old Stone Church Cemetery in Fairfield Twp. A viewing will be held on Monday evening, February 3rd from 7 to 9 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Welden's memory to Fairton Fire and Rescue Co., P.O. Box 66, Fairton, NJ 08320. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com