Justice Thomas M. Welch passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 1:30 a.m. at Barnes-Jewish Hospital surrounded by his family. He served on the 5th District Appellate Court for the last 45 years.
Justice Welch was born Feb. 28, 1939, in St. Louis. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri. He served as a Circuit Court Magistrate from 1965 to 1971, Madison County Assistant State's Attorney from 1971 to 1972 and attorney for the City of Collinsville. He practiced law as a partner with the firm of Welch, Welch and Welch from 1971 until his election to the Fifth District Appellate Court in 1980.
A visitation/wake will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Sunset Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, IL (Edwardsville).
The funeral will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Hills Funeral Home with burial to follow at the cemetery.