HIRAM T. BURCH JR.

SIKESTON -- Hiram T. Burch Jr., 69, of Sikeston, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 1995, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 4, 1926, at Matthews, son of Hiram T. and Willie Morgan Burch Sr. He and Vivian Braiser were married Oct. 12, 1943, at Gray Ridge.

Burch was a retired farmer. He lived at Gray Ridge most of his life, moving to Sikeston in 1986. He was a member of Taylor General Baptist Church and had been a deacon there 30 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Ronald and Bruce Burch of Sikeston; a daughter, Loretta Ritch of Dexter; three brothers, Irbie and Glen "Pete" Burch of Matthews, Harold Burch of Sikeston; three grandsons; a great-grandson; a stepgrandson, and a great-stepgrandson.

He was preceded in death by seven brothers and four sisters.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter after 5 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Woodrow Peck officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery at Sikeston.