Howard N. Birch, 91, went to sleep in Jesus Wednesday, March 25, 2009, in Chanute.

He was born June 26, 1917, near Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Nels and Mamie Birch.

He lived several places, including Chicago, South Milwaukee, and Mission, Texas.

He was growing grapefruit in the Rio Grande Valley before deciding to further his education at Keene, Texas. There he met Effie Fisher and they married on July 13, 1946, at Stanley, N.M. She survives.

The couple attended Union College in Lincoln, Neb., from which they both graduated. Two daughters were born to them, Linda and Beverly.

He was an educator in the Seventh-day Adventist school system, teaching in elementary and boarding academies in several states, including Texas, Missouri, Minnesota and Georgia. They retired to a country setting in 1982 and enjoyed bird-watching, mowing the yard and family gatherings.

His hobbies also included gardening, music, poetry and pencil-sketched artwork. He claimed that he did know swear words, however there was never any evidence.

He loved his family and prayed for them often: Wife, Effie; Jim, Linda and J.C. Lynch; Steve and Beverly Tasche; Nathan, Estella, Kai and Adolyn Ruggles; along with many others.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lester; and sister, Ruby.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. April 1 at Greenwood Cemetery in Sedan under the direction of David Barnes Funeral Home, Sedan.

Contributions may be made to the Sedan Seventh-day Adventist Church.