Lena Burch

Lena Zelma "Steve" (Stephens) Burch

NEWARK: A funeral service for Lena Zelma "Steve" (Stephens) Burch, age 90, of Newark, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at Christ United Methodist Church, 10 North Cedar Street, Newark, with Rev. Sam Harnish officiating. Burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery, Alexandria, where military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Mrs. Burch passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center (operated by Hospice of Central Ohio). She was born February 2, 1922 in Garza County, Texas to the late Wesley and Darris (Bowen) Stephens.

Mrs. Burch was a 1939 graduate of Post High School where she was a member of the flag corps and played on the basketball team. She received nurses training at Lubbock General Hospital, graduating in 1942. She was a nurse with the United States Army Air Corps, stationed in Lubbock, Texas from 1943-45. On June 10, 1944, she married Robert Gleason Burch, whom she met when he was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Mrs. Burch had also been employed as a nurse with the former Newark Hospital.

A dedicated member of Christ United Methodist Church for over 60 years, Mrs. Burch was active in the Women's Society and the Sarah Circle and taught Vacation Bible School for many years. She was instrumental in starting Friendship Hour, a tutoring program for neighborhood children that the church provided. She also volunteered for the Community Dinners at the Look Up Center. She and her husband belonged to the Deux Cum Class at church for 61 years and volunteered for the food pantry, winning an award for their volunteerism. She was a volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross and also volunteered with Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the Bloomin' Buckeyes, a square dance group that brought her many hours of enjoyment.

Mrs. Burch's family and church family came first and were very important to her. She never wanted to be the center of attention and was selfless throughout her life. She was always generous with her time and talents.

She is survived by three children, Katrinka (Terry) Treneff, Jan (Larry) Campbell and Robert S. (Jennifer) Burch, all of Newark; grandchildren, Chad (Cassie) Campbell of Virginia, Heidi (Jim) Saunders of Newark, Jon Treneff of Seattle, Washington, David Treneff of Columbus, Stephen, Sarah, Benjamin and Emilie Burch, all of Newark; three great-grandchildren, Elle and Cale Saunders and Owen Campbell; sister, Joyce Richardson of Lubbock, Texas; brother, Bowen (Sheila) Stephens of Plains, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Gleason Burch, on December 20, 2008; and by two sisters, Lucille Windham and Sue Lovinggood; and a brother, Wesley Stephens, Jr.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, May 21, at the Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service, 59 North Fifth Street, Newark, and from 12:30-1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, Hospice of Central Ohio, PO Box 430, Newark, OH 43058 or Meals on Wheels, c/o Licking County Aging Program, 745 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055.

Please visit www.hendersonvanatta.com to view a memorial and to leave a message of condolence for the Burch family.