Richard H. Birch, 90, a guest at the Jefferson Manor in Brookville, formerly of Birch Road, Summerville, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at Jefferson Manor.
Born in Millvale Nov. 17, 1922, he was a son of the late Fred Birch Sr. and Carrie Gibbons Birch.
On May 26, 1945, he was married to Martha L. Vallimont in Brookville. She preceded him in death March 2, 2002.
Richard worked for Matson Lumber hauling wood and also coal. He retired as an equipment operator for PennDOT after many years.
He was an avid hunter, but most of all he was a family man who enjoyed raising his kids, spending many summer nights with them and his grandchildren around the campfire telling stories.
Surviving are six sons, Wayne Birch of Summerville, William (Barby) Birch of Frederick, Md., Fred (Dee) Birch of Reynoldsville, Robert Birch of Brookville, John Birch of Brookville, and Randon (Leslie) Birch of Brookville; nine daughters, Martha Lou (David) Bash of Leechburg, Carrie Birch of Garnerville, N.Y. Sally (Rodney) Reekie of Topeka, Kan, Virginia (Robert) Carter of Port Charlotte, Fla., Christine (Thomas) Snyder of Summerville, Betty (Richard) Steel of Knox Dale, Maxine (Ronald) Walter of Brookville, Sherry (George) Piovesan of Greensburg, and Lisa Smith of Summerville. He is also survived by a sister, Martha Schram of Pittsburgh, 39 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two sons, Dennis and Albert Birch; two infant grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and nine brothers and sisters.
Friends were received Friday at the McKinney Funeral Home in Brookville. A funeral service was held Saturday at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Summerville with the Rev. Roger Howard officiating. Burial was in St John’s Cemetery (Windy Hill) in Rose Township, Jefferson County.
Memorial donations may be made to the Summerville Volunteer Fire Department or the Brookville Ambulance Service.
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