Harold Burch (1914-2007)

BURCH

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/12/2007 at 17:34:23

Harold "Deke" Burch, the son of Mose and Arla (Carver) Burch, was born east of Shambaugh, Iowa, on January 2, 1914, and passed away in Clarinda, Iowa on September 24, 2007.

Harold attended Braddyville High School. He lived and farmed in the Braddyville area all his life. He married Audrey Nadine Thompson in Troy, Kansas, on September 22, 1936. To this union three children were born Bill, Ed, and Nancy.

Harold was an avid sports fan. He played baseball many years in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the Clarinda, Iowa area and was inducted into the Clarinda A's Hall of Fame in 1979. Harold loved to bowl and spent many years bowling in leagues in Clarinda, and Maryville. In his late 50's Harold took up golf. During his golfing years, he scored two holes in one and was often able to "shoot his age."

Harold was a life-long Cardinals' fan and attended his first game at old Busch Stadium in the late 70's. He traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1980 to see a Cardinals spring training game.
Harold was hard-working, independent, proud, and firm in his beliefs. Many referred to him as a "character." Most of all he loved his family. He had a keen mind for people's names, geographical places, and dates. He was a historian in his own way.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Audrey, his son Bill, his parents Mose and Arla, his sister Zora Bonar, and his brother Maynard Burch.

He is survived by his son Ed Burch and wife Darla of Braddyville, IA; daughter Nancy Anderson and husband Allan of Haymarket, VA; daughter-in-law Jean Burch of Pleasant Hill, IA; grandsons Erik Eblen of Haymarket, VA; Doug and wife Ann Burch and daughters Abbigail and Ellie of Gretna, NE; Michael and wife Sebrina Burch of Des Moines, IA; and other nieces and nephews.

Services were held Saturday September 29, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at Walker-Merrick Funeral Home in Clarinda with Pastor Jim Crapson officiating. Interment was at the Braddyville Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Harold's memory may be made to the Braddyville Fire and rescue Squad. Walker-Merrick Funeral Home of Clarinda was in charge of arrangements.

Published in the Clarinda Herald-Journal from 10/9/2007 - 10/17/2007.