Maryanna Bir

Maryanna (Rouse) Bir, 86, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, August 26, 2013 at home. She was born February 10, 1927 in Shady Valley, Tennessee to the late George and Minnie (Bentley) Rouse. Maryanna was a 1944 graduate of New Castle High School and attended Marion College in Marion (now Indiana Wesleyan University) where she studied History. She married the love of her life, Richard Anthony Bir Sr. on August 23, 1947. She was a long-time active member of St. Anne Catholic Church, St. Anne Society, St. Anne Mother’s Club, and served as President of St. Vincent De Paul. She was also a member of the Business Professional Women’s Club and was a Girl Scout Brownie troop leader. Maryanna and her husband owned Southside Liquor Store for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, loved to read and travel, especially to Rome. What kept her going were her grandchildren. She is survived by five children, Anna Kathryn Bir of New Castle, Richard Anthony Bir II of New Castle, David Jerome (wife: Gorete) Bir of Madison, Georgia, Rebecca Helen (husband: R. Gary) Upchurch of New Castle and Mary Clare Bir of New Castle; a daughter-in-law, Linda Bir-Conn of New Castle; six grandchildren, Alex (wife: Melissa) Upchurch, Rachel Upchurch, Macee (husband: Josh) Perdue, Lauren Upchurch, Katie Bir and Elizabeth Bir; two step-grandchildren, Shane Sears and Steve Sears; six great-grandchildren, Kalebb Upchurch-Brown, Mali Guffey, Cole, Huck and Luke Perdue and Wren Upchurch; four step-great-grandchildren, Kyndra, Tristan, Kyler and Logan and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Anthony Bir Sr. on September 11, 1982; a son, Paul George Bir on June 7, 1999; a daughter-in-law, Judy V. Bir on May 3, 2011; a sister and four brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2013 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Anne Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. Sproles Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Maryanna Bir.

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Maryanna Bir

February 10, 1927 - August 26, 2013