Lawrence J. Burch, age 87, of Fremont, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at his
home.
He was born on January 10, 1933 in Coldwater, Michigan.
Larry graduated from Bronson High School. He served as a deputy for the Branch County Sherriff’s
Department for 22 years and also served as an EMT for eight of those years. He also was one of four
deputy’s that started the dive team for the department.
Survivors include his daughters, Karen (Michael) Ochampaugh of Iron River, Michigan, and Diane
(Freddy) Napier of Coldwater, Michigan, seven grandchildren, Mark Adams, Patrick Burch, Jason
Adams, Lance Ochampaugh, Kimberly Romine, Michael Ochampaugh, Jr., and Eric Ochampaugh,
Fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, brothers, Ralph (Charlene) Burch, Charles
(Judy) Bertsch, and Edward (Gwen) Bertsch, and he will be sadly missed by his cat, Honey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Versal Burch, and Marie (Byers) Bertsch, and his wife,
Maxine (Stoy) Burch.
Private burial will take place at East Gilead Cemetery, Gilead Township, Michigan.
A Memorial Luncheon will be held in his memory at 1 pm Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Mystic
Lodge # 141, 790 East Chicago Street, Bronson, Michigan 49028.
Memorial donations in his memory may be directed to the Branch County Dive Team, the Branch
County K-9 Program, or the Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County.
Arrangements are under the direction of Beams Funeral Home of Fremont, IN.
