1939 -- 2009

Melvin J. Birch, 70, of Kenosha, died on Thursday, Feb, 19, 2009, at Hospice House.

Born on Feb. 4, 1939, in Chippewa Falls, Wis., he was the son of the late Harold and Mabel (Myers) Birch.Melvin was raised in Chippewa Falls and attended school there.

On Jan. 15, 1959, in Jim Falls, Wis., he was married to Eloda Atkinson.

For 30 years Melvin was employed with AMC/ Chrysler Corporation.He retired in 1989 as a relief man.

He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, U.A.W. Local #72 Retirees, Kenosha Senior Citizens and Racine Senior Center.

In his younger years, Melvin liked to coach youth softball. He was an all around outdoorsman, who enjoyed playing dart ball, horseshoes, fishing, hunting and tending to his garden.He also enjoyed woodworking and found great joy in feeding and watching the many types of birds that would visit his yard.

He is survived by his wife, Eloda; four children, Linda Johnson of Pleasant Prairie, Brenda (Ricky) Walentowski of Somers, Daniel (Donna) Birch of Kenosha and David (Lisa) Birch of Bristol; nine grandchildren, Andrew and Nicholas, John (Shannon) and Dianne (Jeremiah), and Amber, Jacob, Jenna, Emily and Leah; four great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Brianna, Abigail and Alex; two brothers, Alan Birch of Caddott, Wis., and Tony Birch of Minnesota; and two sisters, Rita (Ray) Andres of Eau Claire and Elaine (John) Krista of Chippewa Falls.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Harvey and Ron.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, 2224 30th Avenue.Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. A visitation will be hosted on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass at the church.

Piasecki-Althaus

Funeral Home

3720 39th Avenue

Kenosha, WI 53144

262-658-4101

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