He loved to say, no matter what job laid ahead: “Don’t we have the biggest ole times!” Jim was a member of the Bennington Community Church. Jim lived his life to the fullest with a contagious laugh, a little mischief and a zest for life. His children and grandchildren greatly enjoyed listening to all his stories. Jim could have wrote a book on all the over the road adventures they had traveling with the German Corner. They continued to serve food and entertain their guests from their home until retirement in 2010. “If the sausages were cooked black you knew what Jim had been up to.” Jim and Johanna retired from traveling with the German Corner in 2004. Jim was known to be a big talker, at times getting a little sidetracked visiting and talking when he was supposed to be at the grill tending to the schnitzels and sausages. Jim and Johanna will always be remembered wearing their authentic German costumes as they served food from the German Corner. If Jim wasn’t helping with the food, you might just find him and Bevie Sue doing the “Chicken Dance” with the crowd. They were a local favorite at The Swiss Wine Festival with their special German recipes.
In 1972 Jim and Johanna started their traveling food business “The German Corner.” In the early 90’s they expanded the business to catering weddings and receptions to having Crosswell bus tours to their home on Fairview Road. Jim loved his bountiful garden and fruit trees. They also had a farrow to finish hog operation. They raised various crops including tobacco, corn and soybeans. Jim spent many years working on the family farm in Bennington with his wife and sons. God blessed this happy union with four children, Scott (late), Eric, John and Heidi. On February 8, 1959, Jim was united in marriage to Johanna Alma Weber at the Bennington United Methodist Church. He was honorably discharged on February 28, 1958. Jim held the rank of Private First Class and served as a Construction Machine Operator. Army base, he met his pretty “fraulein” and future wife Johanna. While Jim was stationed in Esslingen, Germany, at the Nellingen U.S. He was honored and very proud to have served his country. Jim enlisted in the United States Army on May 16, 1956. He resided in Switzerland County his entire life. Jim was a member of the Vevay Warriors Basketball team. Jim was raised in Bennington on the family farm and was a 1954 graduate of Vevay High School. He was the loving son of the late Augustus Gary Welch and Ruby (Means) Welch. Jim entered this life on Main Madison, Indiana. Jim began his eternal life on the birthday of two people he dearly loved, his precious granddaughter Amber and his late friend Beverly “Bevie” Sue Cook. In Jim’s final days he was surrounded with love and care with his wife and family at his bedside. James “Jim” Albert Welch, age 86, of Bennington, Indiana, left this life to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Augat 12:28 p.m.