Thomas Lee Burch

Thomas Lee Burch, 82, passed away Sunday, June 20, 2021 in Show Low, Arizona. He was born May 18, 1939 in Jerseyville, Illinois, the son of Thomas William Burch and Anna Pearl Page.

Tom served his country in the United States Army from 1957-1966 and was honorably discharged. He graduated from Ocean Community College in New Jersey with a degree in Criminal Justice. He served as a police officer until 1974 when he moved to his hometown in Jerseyville, Illinois and opened A-1 Auto Body. In 1977 he and his family moved to Arizona where he owned and operated Don’s Body Shop until moving in his retirement to St. Johns, Arizona with Shirley his loving wife of 65 years.

Tom loved his life on Red Sky Ranch and became a member of the Springerville Church of Christ where he served and drew closer to God and grew in his faith. Tom loved his family and helped them all in many ways throughout the years.

We, his children would like to thank all of his many friends for all you added to his life. Whether you were friends in school, in the Army, in the business world or his friends in later years, you all helped make him the man he was. He will be dearly missed by his wife and family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Shirley Ramona Cravens Burch, St. Johns, Arizona; sons, Thomas Alan (Michelle) Burch, Boone, North Carolina; L. Edward Burch, St. Johns, Arizona; daughters, Ramona (Loren) McCance-Overby, Crawfordsville, Indiana; Jewel (Alan) Graham, Buckeye, Arizona; sisters, Joann (Bill) Burch Beiermann, Jerseyville, Illinois; Beth (Marty) Crane, Kane, Illinois; brothers, Fred (Georgia) Geisler, Eldred, Illinois; Steve (Dorothy) Geisler, Carrollton, Illinois; 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Stanley Geisler, aunt, Hilda Day and uncle, Leonard Burch.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Phoenix, Arizona and Jerseyville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Springerville Church of Christ, 1050 Highway 180, Springerville, Arizona 85938.