Gloria L. Birch

Funeral service for Gloria L. Birch, 78, Lawrence will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. She died Saturday, November 5, 2016 at her home.

She was born October 27, 1938 in Denver, Colorado the daughter of George and Alice (Dearhamer) Vance.

She graduated from Lawrence High School. She helped many elderly with home cleaning.

She was an avid painter, rock collector and enjoyed beadwork.

She married Paul Birch on August 17, 1954 in Topeka, Kansas and he survives of the home.

Other survivors include her children, Paul V. “Vic” Birch of Lawrence, Vicky L. Birch of Topeka, Judy G. King, Lawrence, Earl K. “Keith” Birch, Terrell, TX , sixteen grandchildren, Tami Wells, Mary E. Birch, Kasandra L. Michel, Angela C. Knoll, Brian Wilks, Dustin Wilks, Christina Wilks, Christopher “Gage” King, Elizabeth Birch, Alexander Birch, Sarah Birch, Becky Birch, Leah Birch, Merriam Birch, Zachariah Birch, Josiah Birch; six great grandchildren, Addie, Chloe, Jacob, Isabella, Zachary, Joseph. She was preceded in death by her son, Brian Birch and four brothers, Neil Vance, Albert Vance, William Vance and Albert Dearhamer.

The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service at the mortuary on Thursday.

Memorials may be made in her name to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.