Gerald E. "Gene" Birch

Gerald E. “Gene” Birch, age 84 of Ligonier passed away at 7:35 AM on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville, IN. He was born to Charlie & Susie (Rarick) Birch in Wolf Lake, IN. He married Violet “June” Poff in 1963, she preceded him in death in 2005. He later married Jean Parks in 2008, she survives.

Gene served his country honorably during WW II in the United States Army. He retired from Monsanto in Ligonier after more than 26 years of service and was a member of the Moose Lodge #836 in Goshen.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Birch of Ligonier; 8 Children, Michael (Crystal) Birch of Ligonier, Cathy (Fred) Ratcliff of Goshen, Linda Wertman of Goshen, Gary Birch of Fort Wayne, Michael (Paulette) McDonald of Millersburg, Colleen McDonald of Syracuse, Tammy McDonald of Ligonier & Bill McDonald of Ligonier; 4 stepchildren, Jim (Julia) Williams of California, Debra (Palmer) Short of Kentucky, Steven (Sandy) Williams of Ligonier & Dan (Kelly) Parks of Albion; several grandchildren & several great-grandchildren; 1 brother & 1 sister.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 grandson, Gary Ratcliff; & 6 siblings.

A funeral service will be held in Gene’s honor on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 4 PM at Yeager Funeral Home- 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier, IN 46767. Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell, IN. Friends may call from 2-4 PM prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in care of Yeager Funeral Home.