Norman 'Norm' Lee Burch

Norman "Norm" Lee Burch, age 76, of Traverse City, Michigan, formerly of Birch Run, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at French Manor Yellow Assisted Living, after a courageous two-year battle with stage 4 liver cancer. Norm was born on March 10, 1948, in Battle Creek, to Harry William Burch and Clara Mae Lofton (Blakney). He grew up in Mason, Michigan, alongside his brother, Ken, and sister, Phyllis. A 1967 graduate of Everett High School in Lansing, Norm proudly served in both the Army National Guard and the Michigan National Guard and was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. Norm spent many years working as a maintenance laborer for the State of Michigan, retiring in 2010. Throughout his life, Norm married twice; first to Donna MacPhee in 1972, with whom he shared three beloved children, and later to JoAnn Kay Walker in 1983, who remained his devoted partner until her passing in 2020. An avid lover of hunting, golf, and bingo, Norm was also an active member and past president of the Lansing and Birch Run Moose Lodges. He devoted much of his time to volunteering and fellowship at the Moose Lodge, alongside JoAnn, where many members became like family to them both. Norm was a faithful attendee of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen, and Birch Run United Methodist Church. Norm leaves behind a loving family: his children, Christopher Burch of Lansing, Bradley (Heather) Burch of Lake Ann, and Katherine (Jeff) Maynard; his grandchildren, Christopher Jr., Michael, David, Marcy, Rachael, and Rebekah; and great-grandchildren, Christa Jean-lee, Daisy Lee’ann, Harper Chris’anna Jean-Maria, and Maxine Renee. He is also survived by his siblings, Phyllis Johnson and Ken Burch; sisters-in-law Janice (Bill) Southerling, Jane (Katie) Kelley, and Cindy Walker. He was predeceased by his first wife, Donna Jean Burch, his second wife, JoAnn Kay Burch, and his brother-in-law, Jim Walker. A funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen, on Saturday, April 27th, at 11:00am with visitation starting one hour prior. There will be a luncheon to follow the service. Pastor Jason Bauer will officiate. The ashes of Norman and JoAnn will be laid to rest together at Hillside Cemetery in Delta Township, Michigan, at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please direct donations to the VFW, Cherryland post 2780.

Norman 'Norm' Lee Burch

March 10, 1948 - April 16, 2024