LUGOFF – A service to celebrate the life of Elmer Thomas Welch, Jr., 80, will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Wednesday 6-8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association. Mr. Welch died Sunday, August 18, 2013. Born in Portland, Maine, he was the son of the late Elmer Thomas Welch Sr. and Grace McCormick Welch. He served in the United States Air Force and was a member of the American Legion Post 195. Mr. Welch was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Gloria Theresa Charest Welch; daughters, Donna Marie Welch Carter (Mark) of Lugoff and Denise M. Wescott of Standish, Maine; son, Dwayne Thomas Welch Sr. (Judy) of Springhill, Tenn.; sisters, Mary Joe, Shirley and Betty; and 7 grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers, Bobby Welch, Stanley Welch and Eddie Welch.