Betty Kirch

Kirch, Betty Jeanne (Shannon) Portland, OR and formerly of Richland, MI Betty Kirch, age 92, died Thursday morning, February 14, 2019 at West Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center, Portland, OR. Betty, the daughter of Harry and Mildred (Brown) Shannon, was born in Volinia, MI on 4/26/1926. She was a 1944 graduate of Marcellus High School. In 1948, she graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Home Economics/Education. Her professional life included work as a Pre-School Teacher, Owner/Operator of a specialty toy store, The Castle, and Real Estate Broker. Betty was united in marriage to Ralph E Kirch in Volinia, MI on October 5, 1947. Ralph preceded her in death after 65 years of marriage on December 21, 2012. Surviving is her daughter, Deborah "Debbie" Puhl (Tom) of Portland, OR; son, Kent Kirch (Karen) of Caroga Lake, NY; son, Ralph "Kirby" Kirch (Natalie) of Tigard, OR; daughter-in-law, Jane Kirch of Jacksonville, FL; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Harry and Mildred Shannon, and her husband, Ralph E Kirch, Betty was preceded in death by her oldest son, James Kirch; a granddaughter, Jocelyn Kirch; two sisters, Beverly and Linda; three brothers, Star, Harold, and Jack. At the request of Betty's family, friends will be received for visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23rd at Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083. A Celebration of Life service with Len R Schoenherr, Pastor, officiating will begin at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to continue her Celebration of Life with a time of fellowship and desserts immediately following the service. Private, family interment will be held in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI on Monday, March 25th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty's honor may be made to the Michigan 4-H Foundation, 446 West Circle Drive #160, E. Lansing MI 48824 or Gull Lake United Methodist Church (see address above). The Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel is assisting Betty's family. Betty always enjoyed making new friends in whatever community she found herself. As a consequence, she touched many lives and had a profound positive impact on each of these communities. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Betty may be placed at farleyestesdowdle.com