Thomas E. Burtch, 89, of Rockford, Ohio, passed away Thursday evening, May 11, 2017, at 9:45 p.m. He was born in Paulding, Ohio, on December 22, 1927, the son of James M. and Esther (Schmidt) Burtch. On July 17, 1954, he married Dorothy Levihn, who preceded him in death on September 11, 2014.

Tom was the co-owner and manager of Burtch Seed Company in Tama, Ohio. He and his wife "Dot" worked together for many years at their business until their retirement. Tom was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1945-1948 and again from 1951-1952, during the Korean Conflict. Tom had lived here since 1960, coming from Paulding. He was a very active member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Celina, Ohio; he served as a member of the Rockford Carnegie Library Board of Directors for many years; he was a board member at his previous church for several terms and president of that church board as well; and he was also a member of the Ohio Seed Association.

Surviving are his six children: Susie Christman of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Tom (Lori) Burtch of Rockford; John (Tina) Burtch of Westerville, Ohio; Ed (Misti) Burtch of Rockford; Robert (Cheryl) Burtch of Minster, and Mike (Melissa) Burch of Rockford. Sixteen grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren also survive. Tom has a brother, Karl Burtch of Paulding, a sister Barbara Rhoad, of Paulding and a sister-in-law, Helen Burtch, also of Paulding, who survive. Deceased is his wife, Dorothy "Dot", a son-in-law, Dan Christman, 3 brothers: Charles, David, and James Burtch; and 2 sisters: Janet Choler and Sally Coon.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at New Horizons Community Church in Rockford, with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey G. Gramza officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call at New Horizons on Tuesday from 2-8 p.m., and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials may be directed to Wernle Children's Home, P.O. Box 1386, Richmond, Indiana, 47375 or to Easterseals ARC of Northeast Indiana, 4919 Coldwater Rd., Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 46825. Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com. Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio, is handling the services.