Lloyd C. Welken, Col USAFR
Lloyd C. Welken, 73, of Easton, PA passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. He was the husband of Joyce Mitman Welken with whom he shared 49 1/2 terrific years of marriage. Born January 18,1948 in Flushing, New York he was the son of the late Miriam (Nelson) and Lloyd O. Welken. Lloyd grew up in Glen Head, L.I., New York, sharing good times with his best friend John Condit. He graduated from North Shore High School in 1965, then attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine, earning a BA degree in Economics in 1969.
As an ROTC Cadet at Colby, Lloyd was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force in 1969. After completing pilot training he was assigned to Nakom Phenom Thailand,
flying the A-1 Skyraider in 1971- 1972. While in theater he logged over 315 combat hours and flew 100 missions as a commander of search and rescue forces. After assignments in Georgia and New Mexico, Lloyd left active duty in 1978 and joined the AF reserves. He was a member of the 732 MAS, McGuire AFB, New Jersey and served as commander of the 732 Airlift Squadron from Jan. 1994 thru Aug 1995, flying the C-141. Lloyd was activated for Operation Desert Shield/Storm from August 1990 to July 1991, where he flew as a C141B Aircraft Commander in Southwest Asia, and completed 16 airlift missions. Lloyd’s military decorations include The Silver
Star, The Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1997, Lloyd was honored by being selected to be part of an Air Force crew of fellow Vietnam Veterans for a special mission to fly to Hanoi to repatriate the recently found remains of two service members who died while serving in Vietnam. This was an historic occasion to bring back fallen comrades. It was the “Number One” trip of his 30 year flying career in the military. His last assignment was as Commander of the 927th Support Group at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, MI from 1997 until his retirement in June 2000.
Lloyd was a Flight Engineer and First Officer for Pan
American Airlines, flying the B727, B747 and A -310. He was a DC-10 Captain for World Airways from 1993-2006. He was a Command Pilot with over 9400 hours including 1600 hours of instructor time in the T-38-A and C-141. He was a member of The Pomfret Club of Easton where he served on the Board of Directors for 9 Years. In addition to his wife Joyce, Lloyd is survived by his sister Mary Jo Weisbach and her husband Phil, brother-in-law Phil Mitman and his wife Linda; 8 nieces and nephews: Cody Weisbach (Cara), Kristin Weisbach, Brooke Mitman, Christian Mitman (Edward Kubow), Alexander Mitman (Meghan), Abigail Harris (Chris), and Zach and Zoe Walden; 11 great nieces and nephews: Sophia, Olivia, Nathanael and Benjamin Rivera, Parker and Chloe Weisbach, Aria Weisbach, Elise and Ellery Harris, Clara and Hannah Mitman; his devoted and loving canine buddy, Nelson along with many beloved cousins and dear friends.
Services are 10:30 AM Tuesday at the Brown & Lynch
Post #9, American Legion, 2260 Corriere Dr., Easton followed by interment with military honors at Northampton Memorial Shrine. A calling period will be held from 4 PM to 6 PM Monday in the Ashton Funeral
Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers at https:// t2t.org or the Children’s Home of Easton at www.thechildrenshome.org or a charity of one's choice. Offer online condolences at
www.ashtonfuneralhome.com