Chantelle V. Welch, 15, of Norwalk passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital, Sparta.

She was born Jan. 29, 1996, to Charles and Sally (Rampersad) Welch in Worchester, Mass. She attended Brookwood High School in Ontario, where she was to start her sophomore year. Chantelle was looking forward to getting back to school this fall to hang out with her friends and start cheerleading and choir practice. Chantelle was active member of the school choir and on the football cheerleading squad. She enjoyed reading, listening to music and spending time with her friends and family. She was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her parents, Chuck and Sally Welch of Norwalk; three siblings, Erika, Alisha and Joshua; a grandmother, Pearl Rampersad of Florida; four aunts, Susan (Don) Hogan of Florida, Marilynn Welch of Massachusetts, Bonnie Freeman of Massachusetts and Sandra (Greg) Donnelly of Arizona; an uncle, Shaun (Christina) Rampersad of Florida; and a nephew, Ryan Welch. She is furthered survived by many cousins, other relatives and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ed and Jean Welch, and her maternal grandfather, Sonny Rampersad.

A funeral service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Mount Pisgah Wesleyan Church, 13192 Pisgah Road, Ontario. Rev. Robert Streeter will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited for a visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service Friday at the church. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.