Dean Birch

Dean Stephen Birch, 93, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 24, 2014, at his home of causes incident to age. Dean was born July 30, 1921, in St. Anthony, Idaho, to William Birch Jr. and Sarah Elizabeth “Bessie” Welch Birch. He grew up on the family farm in Wilford, attended schools in Sugar City, and graduated from Sugar-Salem High School. Dean married Rena Pappas, of Chicago Heights, Illinois, whom he’d met through mutual friends a year and a half earlier, on November 12, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. Dean was serving in the U. S. Navy as an aviator and served on Guadalacanal during some of the worst fighting in 1943. He was later stationed in the Chicago area until his discharge in 1945. In 1948 they moved to Idaho because Dean’s bouts with malaria while serving in the Solomon Islands left him in need of a dryer climate. They settled in the farming community of St. Anthony, just a few miles northwest of Dean's childhood home in Wilford. Dean and Rena welcomed their first son, William "Bill," in 1947, and added James "Jim" to the family in 1949. Dean was a mechanic and manager of the Service Department at St. Anthony Motors until his retirement. Dean and Rena moved to Idaho Falls in 1997 to escape the winter weather in St. Anthony. Rena passed away September 4, 2006. Dean enjoyed working on cars and caring for his yard and home with his wife. Dean is survived by son, Bill J. (Patty) Birch of Newport Coast, CA, son, Jim M. (Susan) Birch of Boulder, CO, sister, Norma Roberts of Fillmore, UT, granddaughter, Kimberly Birch of Irvine, CA, granddaughter, Ally Birch of Newport Coast, CA, grandson, Max Birch of Newport Coast, CA, granddaughter, Amy Birch of Boulder, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Rena, to whom he was married for 61 years, two sisters, Gladys Furness and Thelma Kirkham, a brother, Lee Birch, and a brother that died at birth. It was Dean’s wish that he be cremated. No services will be held.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2014