Frances Burch

F rances B urch, age 85, formerly of North Platte, peacefully passed away on April 17, 2023.

Frances was born to Melzar 'Red' and Opal Barnes on July 6, 1937, in North Platte where she grew up.  After graduating from N.P.H.S. in 1955 she did a lot of traveling then returned home and met Ervin Burch.  The couple wed on January 6, 1968, and raised 7 children, Douglas, Sheila, Steven, Tom, Kathy, Carol and Junior, together.

Frances was a member of the Berean Church and active in Campfire as an assistant leader.  She was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed playing cards.  She loved spending time with her family and friends, and especially loved her 17 grandchildren, her many great-grandchildren and her nieces and nephews.  Frances will always be in the hearts of her family and forever missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin; her parents, Melzar and Opal Barnes; brother, Robert Barnes; and stepdaughter, Kathy (Leon) Lott.

Survivors include her sons, Douglas (Tena) Burch of North Platte, Steven Burch of Grand Island and Tom (Liza) Duncan of Oxnard, CA; daughter, Sheila (Mike) Peel of Arlington, WA; stepchildren, Carol (Al) Free of Marcola, OR, and Junior Burch of Eugene, OR; her brother, James (Judith) Barnes of Granite City, IL; and her sister-in-law, Mary Barnes of North Platte; as well as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other family.

Services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 24, 2023, at the Berean Church with George Cheek officiating.  Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation is 1-6 p.m. on Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.