John Willis Welge

Pastor John Willis Welge, 76, of Great Meadows, NJ (formerly of Blairstown, NJ) passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023 at Hackettstown Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

John was born on August 7, 1946 in Red Bud, Illinois to the late Harold and Adele Welge.

John married the love of his life Susan Sandman in 1971. He earned his Master’s degree in Divinity from Concordia Seminary in Springfield Illinois. After his ordination he ministered as pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, PA; at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury, CT; at Hope Lutheran Church in Park Forest, IL; and at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hudson, Ohio. Pastor John served at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Blairstown, NJ until his retirement in 2015. Upon his retirement John traveled the country ministering for Food for the Poor.

He was a passionate New York Yankees fan. John was a professional organist, spreading his love of music through Fourth of July concerts at the parishes he served. John was a history aficionado who quenched his love of history reading a library of books, and visiting Civil War battle sites and other historical locations. He appreciated their significance, and also enjoyed their peacefulness. Above all he loved his family. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his devoted wife Susan Welge, his loving children, son Joshua Welge and his wife Kelly, daughter Mary Eng, his cherished granddaughter, Claire Elizabeth Eng, and his sister in law Cynthia Hitchcock, her husband David Hitchcock, and their family. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his son-in-law Philip Eng.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM at the Maguire-Scala Memorial Home, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 31-18 37th Street, Astoria, NY 11103.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to the Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Fl 33073 or Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 409 East Baldwin Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Arrangements have been entrusted to Maguire-Scala Memorial Home, 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. To send an online condolence please visit www.scalamemorialhome.com.