LOOGOOTEE — Paul James Burch, 54, prominent businessman of Loogootee, died at 5:25 a.m. Saturday at his beloved cabin in Loogootee surrounded by his loving family. Born April 16, 1958, in Washington, he was the son of George V. and Rose Pauline (Dages) Burch. A 1976 graduate of Barr-Reeve High School, he was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Loogootee and a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. In addition, Paul was a member of the St. John Cemetery board for many years. Paul was a generous supporter of Relay for Life and many other community and school events, as well as Backstreet Ministries in Bloomington. Paul and Tracy strongly believed in helping the underprivileged and for many years have supported several poor children through Children’s International. Paul and Tracy founded, owned and operated Burch’s Lawn and Garden Center in Loogootee, which celebrated it 20th anniversary this past spring. Paul also served as maintenance supervisor and groundskeeper for St. John Catholic Church for nearly 23 years. He was previously employed at Loogootee Food Market for 13 years. Paul was a hard-working, self-made man with many interests and talents, from crafting and selling bird feeders, patio furniture and houses to developing land and raising livestock. Paul enjoyed the simple things in life, sitting on his porch swing after a productive day of work, eating popcorn while listening to country music and waiting for company to drop by and shoot the breeze, as he never met a stranger. He liked nothing better than gixing a huge cast iron pot of something good to eat over an open fire and inviting family, friend and anyone who might be lonely to come and share his meal. His faithful dog Princess accompanied him on his Kubota tractor as hew orked the land or used his carpentry skills. He is survived by his wife, Tracy Jeanne (Mitchell) Burch, whom he married Nov. 24, 1979, at St. John Catholic Church; one son, Christopher Burch of Evansville; four daughters, Theresa and husband Adam Miller of Montgomery, Cindy and husband Michael McAtee, Angie and husband Andy Ochs, and Renee Burch, all of Loogootee; an adopted son, John Kirirah of Sydney, Ohio; two sisters, Mary Ann and husband Robert Wathen and Diana and husband Scott Schutte, all of Loogootee; four brothers, Eugene and wife Melanie Burch, Norbert and wife Brenda Burch, Martin and wife Rita Burch, and Andrew and wife Shannon Burch, all of Loogootee; seven grandchildren, Jake, Lincoln and Abby Rose Miller, Macy and Marley McAtee, Ashlyn and Anderson Ochs. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Patrick Burch; and his mother-in-law, Mary Ann Mitchell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John Catholic Church in Loogootee. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Burch’s Lakeside Greenhouse property on North Oak Street off of Bloomfield Road in Loogootee. Events will occur in a large, heated tent and accommodations have been made for all parking. Arrangements are being made through Brocksmith-Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee. Online condolences may be made at www.brocksmithblakefuneralhomes.com.
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Paul Burch
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Robert ‘Lee’ Kavanaugh
Robert “Lee” Kavanaugh, 74, passed away at 12:28 a.m. Wednesday at Daviess Community Hospital.
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Diane Wuensch
Diane Marie Wuensch, 53, formerly of Loogootee, died at 3 a.m. Tuesday in Loogootee. Born Jan. 6, 1960, in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Thomas L. and Mariann (Bindner) Wuensch.
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Mary Graber
Mary Margaret Graber, 65, died at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Hospital in Jasper. Born Nov. 12, 1947, in Daviess County, she was the daughter of Joel and Margaret (Raber) Graber.
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Barry Kluemper
Barry J. Kluemper, 51, died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday at his residence.
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Donald Sims
Donald S. Sims, 59, died Sunday at Daviess Community Hospital.
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Ralph Lottes
Ralph E. Lottes, 61, of Washington, died Friday at his home.
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Lucille Nolley Dillon
Lucille Nolley Dillon, 76, died at 3:02 p.m. Saturday at Select Hospital in Evansville after a brief illness.
Born Sept. 30, 1935, in Daviess, she was the daughter of Arlan V. and Essie (Hardesty) Nolley. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1953 and retired as a bookkeeper from McDonald Chevrolet in Washington after 43 years of service. -
David E. “Dew” Weathers
David E. “Dew” Weathers, 4, died Sunday.
He was a member of Red Door School.
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Bert Eugene Bennett
Bert Eugene Bennett, 72, Washington, passed away Wednesday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville.
Born Nov., 24, 1940 in Chicago, he was the son of Bert W. Bennett and Mary (Millay) Bennett. -
Cathy Elbert Adams
Cathy Elbert Adams, 62, died Saturday at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper.
Services will be held today at noon at the First United Methodist Church in Petersburg. Burial will be in Walnut Hills Cemetery. - More Obituaries Headlines
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