Ronald Lee Birch (85) of Newton

Ronald Lee Birch, 85, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 3:35 AM - Friday, January 25, 2019 at the Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham, Illinois.

Private funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM – Wednesday, January 30 at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, with Gene Birch officiating. Burial will be in the Headyville Cemetery, Dieterich, Illinois at a later date. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to the Oblong Children’s Christian Home with envelopes available at the funeral home. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Ronald was born at home in Clay County, Illinois to John and Josephine Birch on March 5, 1933. He married Janet Bangert on October 12, 1956 and she survives. Together they had three sons: Jeff (Kris) Birch, John (Laura) Birch and Mike (Sandy) Birch. Ron and Janet were blessed with six grandchildren, Taryn (Torrey) Wolf, Tiffany (Curtis) Will, Jessie Birch, Mitchell (Sarah) Birch, Garrett (Meredith) Birch, and Claire Birch. His great grandchildren are Beckett Wolf, Harper Wolf, Reagan Birch and John Kenneth Birch. Ron is also survived by his brothers, Merrill Birch, Reggie (Jean) Birch and Terry (Carol) Birch and a sister Karen (Stan) Dillman.

Ron was known for his quiet nature and preferred to live his life free of complications. Ron had a passion for the great outdoors and enjoyed spending time fishing, camping and hunting. He served in the United States Army in Korea and Japan. Ron was employed as a carpenter, worked for Jesse B. Holt, Inc. and ended his working career at United Technologies.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, John and Josephine Birch, two brothers, Richard Birch and Darrell Birch, and two sisters-in-law, Elaine Birch and Wanda Birch.