Barbara Joan Burch, 89 of Butler, Missouri passed away Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Research Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler.
Visitation will be Monday evening from 5-7 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow services in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Memorial contributions are suggested to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Butler Senior Center, or Giving Fore Living. Messages and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Barbara was born on December 15, 1929 in Butler, Missouri at the old hospital on South Havana Street, the daughter of Otis Harrison Ehart and Edna Alberta Boling Ehart. She was an avid lifelong farm girl, she was knowledgeable in the operation of a farm, and she often remarked her familiarity with the farm was because she was her dad’s “son” for farm work.
Barbara was a graduate of Butler High School and proud to be drum majorette and baton twirler for the marching band. She married Bill Burch on September 30, 1950 at the Christian Church. Leroy Beckham performed the ceremony. She then continued her life as housewife, farmwife, mother, cub scout den mother, 4-H leader, secretary and receptionist for Dr. Curtis Long for 31 years.
Kids and grandkids were everything to Barbara and Bill. As their family grew, they were always available for babysitting, or watching the kids in sports, or whatever was needed. They made it their priority. Only Barbara lived long enough to experience great grandchildren, and she has now been seen in 5 four-generation pictures.
Throughout her life, Barbara was a mover and a shaker. She wanted to participate and excel at just about everything and she scheduled her activities down to the minute. During high school Barbara worked at Wheeler Baker, Ray’s Tin Shop, JB Walton, Vance Clothing, Charley Wynes Grocery, and Bates County Farm Bureau. She was a member of DAR, president of Butler High Alumni, Old Settlers, and Progressive Ladies Extension Club. She was always active in the Bates County Republicans.
In her “retirement” years Barbara enjoyed organizing tours and bus trips for her own “Lots-O-Fun Tours.” She was a devout worker and supporter at the RLDS (now the Community of Christ) Church, a key volunteer at the local thrift shop, and both a participant and organizer at the Butler Senior Center. She was Bates County’s hummingbird lady and authority. She wrote articles and weekly factoids for the local papers and did presentations on her little feathered friends for clubs and organizations. She would reserve calendar dates and drive miles for card games. And she liked to win.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, her husband William A. (Bill) Burch, who died December 2012, and was also preceded by her father and mother-in-law, Jerry and Mary Burch, whom she called Mom and Dad as if they were her own.
Survivors include Dr. Doug Burch and wife Danel, Neosho, MO, Larry Burch and wife Denise, Butler, MO, Brett Burch of the home. Grandchildren Danica Mooney and Michael, Devon Figge and Matt, Jessica Burch, Darci Cohorst and Josh, Jamie Liles and Jared, and Will Burch. Five great-grandchildren and one scheduled to arrive in October. Barbara will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Barbara was born on December 15, 1929 in Butler, Missouri at the old hospital on South Havana Street, the daughter of Otis Harrison Ehart and Edna Alberta Boling Ehart. She was an avid lifelong farm girl, she was knowledgeable in the operation of a farm, and she often remarked her familiarity with the farm was because she was her dad’s “son” for farm work.
Barbara was a graduate of Butler High School and proud to be drum majorette and baton twirler for the marching band. She married Bill Burch on September 30, 1950 at the Christian Church. Leroy Beckham performed the ceremony. She then continued her life as housewife, farmwife, mother, cub scout den mother, 4-H leader, secretary and receptionist for Dr. Curtis Long for 31 years.
Kids and grandkids were everything to Barbara and Bill. As their family grew, they were always available for babysitting, or watching the kids in sports, or whatever was needed. They made it their priority. Only Barbara lived long enough to experience great grandchildren, and she has now been seen in 5 four-generation pictures.
Throughout her life, Barbara was a mover and a shaker. She wanted to participate and excel at just about everything and she scheduled her activities down to the minute. During high school Barbara worked at Wheeler Baker, Ray’s Tin Shop, JB Walton, Vance Clothing, Charley Wynes Grocery, and Bates County Farm Bureau. She was a member of DAR, president of Butler High Alumni, Old Settlers, and Progressive Ladies Extension Club. She was always active in the Bates County Republicans.
In her “retirement” years Barbara enjoyed organizing tours and bus trips for her own “Lots-O-Fun Tours.” She was a devout worker and supporter at the RLDS (now the Community of Christ) Church, a key volunteer at the local thrift shop, and both a participant and organizer at the Butler Senior Center. She was Bates County’s hummingbird lady and authority. She wrote articles and weekly factoids for the local papers and did presentations on her little feathered friends for clubs and organizations. She would reserve calendar dates and drive miles for card games. And she liked to win.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, her husband William A. (Bill) Burch, who died December 2012, and was also preceded by her father and mother-in-law, Jerry and Mary Burch, whom she called Mom and Dad as if they were her own.
Survivors include Dr. Doug Burch and wife Danel, Neosho, MO, Larry Burch and wife Denise, Butler, MO, Brett Burch of the home. Grandchildren Danica Mooney and Michael, Devon Figge and Matt, Jessica Burch, Darci Cohorst and Josh, Jamie Liles and Jared, and Will Burch. Five great-grandchildren and one scheduled to arrive in October. Barbara will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
