DETROIT – Paul Welday, a long-time Republican activist and regular guest on Local 4's Flashpoint, has died.
Sources said Welday was rushed to the hospital this week and died from an illness.
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His funeral service is Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran in Farmington Hills.
His family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Autism Alliance of Michigan, 26500 American Drive, Southfield, MI, 48034.
Welday was running for Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner.
Here are some recent Flashpoint episodes Welday was on:
Video: Feb. 28, 2016, an outlook for Detroit, presidential primaries
Video: Feb. 14, 2016, the death of Justice Scalia
Congressman Debbie Dingell, also a regular Flashpoint guest, said she and her husband are "shocked and saddened" by Welday's death.
“John and I are shocked and saddened by the death of our friend Paul Welday," Dingell said in a statement. "Paul was a passionate advocate for the issues he cared about, and while we could both strongly disagree, we both loved the state of Michigan and our country, and Paul always worked to protect both of them. He loved his wife Valerie and his children Nicholas and Natalie, and I remember how excited he was when the baby was born. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them during this heartbreaking time. I will deeply miss our sparring and intellectual disagreements. Today is a reminder to make every day count, because you don't know what tomorrow will bring."
Funeral arrangements:
A funeral will be held Saturday morning at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills.
Visitation will be Thursday and Friday at the Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.