Obituary of Gladys Clark BIRCH, Hardin County, Illinois

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives
Copyright 1999  Wanda Reed

Name of Deceased:  Gladys Clark BIRCH
Name of Newspaper:  Hardin County Independent
Date of Newspaper:


Gladys Clark Birch was born in Marion, Kentucky on January 18,
1907.  She was the oldest of seven children born to Lester and
Elizabeth (Belt) Clark.
Her family moved to Rosiclare where her father worked for the
Rosiclare Mining Company.  After her father's death, Gladys 
helped raise the younger children. 
She graduated from Rosiclare High School in 1926.  After high
school she worked for the Post Office and later as a dental
assistant in Rosiclare and San Bernardino, California.
Gladys married Dr. W.H. Birch in San Bernardino in 1935.  She
was a working mother who helped raise three step-children 
and one son.  She was also very active in the community; 
4-H and extension, Woman's Club, and the Rosiclare First 
United Methodist Church, to name a few.  Her hobbies were
as diverse as her talents.  She won many ribbons and honors
for her cooking, canning, sewing, gardening, and flower 
arranging.  Though she did not play an instrument and seldom
sang, she had a keen ear and great appreciation for music.
She had a laughing spirit a great sense of humor and was a 
born mimic.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother and 
youngest brother, Trice Clark.  She is survived by her 
husband, Dr. W. H. Birch; three step-children, Marion Busch
of Long Beach, CA. Dr. William H. Birch of Olney, IL., and 
Janette Spees of Arlington, VA., a son Robert W. Birch of 
Eagle Point, OR; six grandchildren, Carol Busch Haucenga 
of Long Beach, CA., Brent and Mary Birch of Olney, Il., 
Karen Spees of Arlington, VA., Natalie Birch Williams of
Eagle Point, OR., and Janet Birch Zigenhagen of Long Beach,
CA., five great grandchildren: Angie and Kyle Crabb of Long
Beach, CA., Garrison Birch of Olney, IL. and Alison and 
Alexander Williams of Point, OR; three sisters, Hazel 
Ashford, Helen Reynolds and Anice McGahee of San Bernardino,
CA; and two brothers Roy Clark of Los Angeles, CA and 
Robert Clark of Redlands, CA; many nieces, nephews, cousins
and other relatives and friends.  All remember her with love
and affection.


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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Wanda Reed
<WANDAHOPE@aol.com>