Betty Jean Burch, 81, of Festus died Aug. 11, 2014, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Burch began her working career as a nurse assistant in the early years of Jefferson Memorial Hospital. She later worked as a medical office assistant for Drs. Coronado, Deleste and Ibaviosa until her retirement. She was a member of Our Lady Church in Festus. She was born June 28, 1933, in Jefferson County, the daughter of the late Alta Lorene (Gray) and Earl Buford Riley. She was preceded in death by her husband: Roger E. Burch Sr.
She is survived by three daughters: Debra (Thomas) Swanger of St. Louis County, Terry L. Burch of Festus and Carolyn (Tamara Porterfield) Burch of St. Louis County; a son: Robert G. “Bobby” Burch of St. Louis County; a sister: Marlene Riley of Carmel, Ind.; nine grandchildren: Scott (Sarah) Swanger, Sara (Paul) Lucas, Laura Burch, Roger E. Burch III, Dustin Perry (Lori Pratt) Burch Sr., Travis Williams, Jennifer Lorene (Scott) Sloan, Michael G. Burch and Alex D. Burch; eight great-grandchildren: Bennett Swanger, Brayden Lucas, Dylan Lucas, Dustin Perry Burch Jr., Kaylee Simon, Gabriella Dunham, Natalie Burch and Taylor Sloan; one uncle; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather: Robert Perry Davis; a son: Roger E. “Rocky” Burch Jr.; an infant sister: Wandalee Caroline Riley; two great-granddaughters: Faith and Willow Sloan; a niece: Sheila Schembre DePrato; and dear friend Earl Langelier.
Visitation is scheduled from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main, in Festus. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Our Lady Church in Festus, officiated by the Rev. Jeffrey Maassen. Burial is in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the hospice program of Mercy Hospital Jefferson or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.