Herbert Ward Burch, Sr., age 93 passed away Wednesday December 27, 2017 at the Cozad Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Herbert was born February 2, 1924. The first of eight children, he was born to Charles and Cecile M. (Owen) Burch. He was born south of North Platte in Wells Canyon. He attended school at Sunny Slope, south of North Platte. He went to school until the 8th grade. After he got out of school, he did some farming. He taught himself to be a mechanic. He joined the Army from 1942 until 1946. While he was in the service he was stationed in California, except for 7 months, when he was in Iwo Jima, Japan. When he came home from the army he did some mechanic work. In the early 50’s he went to work for Fairmont Foods. In the 60’s he worked for Cecil Axthelm at the Standard Station on Rodeo Road. In 1969 he moved to Ogallala to work at McCreath Standard. Later on he worked for Warner Stickler at Spruce Street Standard. He worked on his own for a while, later on moving to North Platte to be with his mother. In the late 90’s he moved to Hayes Center to help Lola Lu on her farm. He took care of cattle until April 2009 when he went to the nursing home in Cozad. In May 2011, he moved to the Senior Living Choices in Curtis, NE. He went back to Cozad in 2013.
In the early 40’s he was married to Marge Godeker. To this marriage a son Herbert Jr. and daughter Ronda were born. Later on they were divorced. In 1971 he was married to Delma Waits. They were married for 23 years and later divorced. They stayed friends all these years. In 1995 he married Sonja Yost. A short time later they were divorced. He met Linda McIntosh and they lived together until he moved to Hayes Center.
Herbert is survived by his sisters, Effie King of Greeley, CO, Shirley Schaeffer of Loveland, CO, Alice (Doyle) Carroll of Branson, MO; son Herbert Jr. (Markie) of Belmopan, Belize; daughter Ronda (Edwin) Gale of Billings, MT; step daughter Rosemary (James) Conway of Papillion, NE; 11 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Viola Burch of SD, Frances Burch of Ravenna, NE; as well as other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; both sets of grandparents; brothers Ervin, Glenn, Lowell, Dale; 5 uncles; 5 aunts; brothers-in-law Rueben Schneider, Bob Schaeffer, Chuck Lamberson, Emile Effenbeck, Don King, Don Kraning, and Bill Schneider.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to NPCC Foundation for the Automotive Dept. and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday January 16, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Reverend Herbert Burch Jr. officiating. Inurnment will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday January 15, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.