Chanital Ramon Welchen

Chanital Ramon Welchen was born on a Friday on February 7th 1958 in Little Rock Arkansas to the parents of Elmer V. Welchen, Jr., and Mary L. Welchen. Elmer was an Airforce man and he and his family lived on the Air Force Base in Arkansas in the early days, but Chanital and his other two siblings spent a lot of time at the Great-Grandparents home in Sweet Home Arkansas. Chanital and some of his child-hood friends (the Thompson boys), played all over Sweet Home. Life in the country in the sixties for young kids was just a playground from morning until night. At the age of 17 Chanital followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military, the United States Marine Corps. Chanital was a faithful son to his mother by sending home his allotment checks for family support. Chanital travelled to many foreign lands and his main job was a Military Police Office. After his stint in the Corps, in the early 80’s he settled in Los Angeles, CA. There he met his only wife Shelley Woods and out of that union 3 children were born, Chanital Jr., Esron, and Sherron. In the early 90’s Chanital and some the of the immediate family moved to Omaha. Mother was affiliated with New Light Baptist Church and where mother went, Chanital was comfortable going, also. One of his early jobs was with First Data Corporation, but he actually retired from Carlson Kennedy Construction in 2021. Chanital was a fun natured man, and he made sure that the party was lively!! He was a great dancer and he loved riding a motorcycle. He joined up with the Ebony Wheels Motorcycle Club and his fun escalated!! He cooked chicken for the club and was known as the chicken man for his great-tasting chicken. Chanital loved fishing with mother and family, hosting holidays, or whenever, and family and friend’s barbeques. Chanital was notorious for giving everyone he knew nicknames, and there were a lot of names. Some you liked, and some you didn’t like. Maybe he got that from his older brother (yours truly), when I named him sharkhead at a very early age!! Chanital’s sense of humor and courageousness will be greatly missed. Chanital is preceded in death by his father EV Jr., wife Shelley, sons Chanital Jr., Esron and daughter, Sherron. Mother just left us this past February, and Aunt Ethel just left us on July 11, 2025. He used to joke to John about caring for those two “old birds” and he’s with them once again. Chanital leaves to morn and celebrate his life, brothers John and George, and sister Mae (Vernon) and his only granddaughter, Jordan and a host of nephews and nieces, cousins and special life long friends. RIP Brother, thank you for your service.

Livestream of Chanital's Celebration of Life