Obituary of Burdette F. Burch

STERLING-. Burdette F. Burch, 96, of Sterling, died, Monday, August 20, 2018 at Rock River Hospice and Home. Burdette was born September 17, 1921 in Morrison, the son of Arthur and Clara (Fadden) Burch. He married Harriet May Buffington on June 08,1946 in Barberton, OH. She preceded him in death December 20, 2012.

Burdette played football for the Morrison High School and was named to the All State team for the 1938 season. He was subsequently inducted into the Morrison football Hall of Fame.

Burdette then joined the U.S Army in 1942 and was discharged in 1946 as an Army Captain. In January of 1945, while Burdette was serving his country the military transport ship he was on was torpedoed and sunk to the bottom of the South Indian Ocean. He was stranded on a raft with his men for seven days before being rescued. Following his career in the military he went on to become a dairy farmer and a rural mail carrier until his retirement.

Survivors include five sons, James (Anne) Burch of Mount Carroll, Paul (Jackie) Burch of Killeen, TX, David (Sandra) Burch of Rock Falls, Daniel Burch of Sterling, and Timothy (Marilee) Burch of Springfield; one brother, Arnold (Jeanne) Burch of Sterling; twenty grandchildren; thirty- one great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; one sister, Claire Rosene; and one brother, Laverne Burch.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at The First United Methodist Church, Sterling, with Pastor Brad Wilson officiating. Visitation will be from 5PM to 7PM Friday, August 24, 2018 at Schilling Funeral Home and Cremation, Sterling. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling.

A memorial has been established to Rock River Hospice and Home and The First United Methodist Church, both of Sterling.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com