James W. Burch, 96, of Ft. Madison, IA, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 10:40 AM at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
He was born on July 7, 1928 in Rural Center, MO to Walter and Mary Palliser Burch. On July 10, 1946 he married Peggy J. Ireland in Keokuk, IA, and she passed away on May 11, 2022. Jim began working for Santa Fe Railroad right out of high school and retired after forty years of service. He was a member of the Ft. Madison United Methodist Church and enjoyed camping and riding motorcycles. Most of all he loved bowling and was inducted into the Ft. Madison bowling Hall of Fame.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald (Gail) Burch of Ft. Madison and Tom (Sara) Burch of Pontoosuc, IL; seven grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren; two brothers, Joe Burch of Wever, IA and Frank Burch of Palmyra, MO; two sisters, Anita Hunold of Ft. Madison and Mary Lou Reeder of Poulsbo, WA; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a daughter, Karen Cox; a grandson, John Geiger; brother, Howard; brother-in-law, Ben Hunold and a sister-in-law, Gloranna Burch.
The family will meet with friends from 12:30-1:30 PM on Friday, February 28, 2025 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory with the service to follow at 1:30 PM with Pastor Padma Templeton officiating. Burial will follow in Claypoole Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for Ft. Madison United Methodist Church and online condolences may be left at www.kinglynk.com.
