Robert L. Burch

Robert L. Burch, 90, of New Castle, died Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Glen Oaks Health Campus in New Castle following a lengthy illness. He was born July 12, 1920 in Blountsville, Indiana, a son of the late Howard and Helen (Dunkin) Burch. Robert was a 1938 graduate of Muncie Central High School and Ball State Teachers College. He served in the Army Air Corp. during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific. He taught at Sunnyside Elementary in New Castle for one year and then worked at Maxon Corporation in Muncie from 1954 until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the Sulphur Springs City Lodge # 348 F.&A.M. for 62 years, a member of the Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite and the American Legion in Indianapolis. He loved golf and horse races and, along with his wife, enjoyed the Henry County Bridge Club for many years. He was baptized in the Hazelwood Christian Church and was a great dad and grandpa. He is survived by two sons, Mike Burch and Bob (wife: Linda) Burch both of New Castle; a daughter-in-law, Jackie Burch of New Castle; his wife, Mary E. Burch of New Castle; a step-son, Doug Friedline of Miami, FL; three grandchildren, Mary (husband: Max) Lines of Mt. Summit, Shelley (husband: Brian) McKinney of Anderson and Patrick (wife: Angie) Burch of Cowan; seven great-grandchildren, Emily Zuniga, Heidi Lines, Megan and Allison McKinney and Kyler, Dayden and Kiersten Burch; a great-great-granddaughter, Sophia Lines and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary (Marshall) Burch and three brothers, Tom, Marshall and Howard Burch. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Rev. Mark O’Brien officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Summit Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by a contingent from the American Legion and VFW. Friends may call from 5 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Summit Christian Church or Foursquare Church with envelopes available at the funeral home. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. Sproles Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Robert Burch.

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Robert L. Burch

July 12, 1920 - April 17, 2011