Michael E. Rich

Michael E. Rich, 56, of Big Beaver and a lifelong resident of the area, passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, in his home, following an extended illness. He was welcomed into his heavenly home by the open arms of Jesus, his Savior. Born Sept. 18, 1949, in Beaver Falls, a son of the late Robert H. and Kathryn Phyllis Koehler Rich, he was employed as a letter carrier technician at the New Brighton Post Office, retiring after 28 years of service. He attended the Chippewa Evangelical Free Church. A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a member of the U.S. Uniformed Retiree Army, a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the 11th Armored Calvary's Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. He was a P.I.A.A. basketball official for 19 years and was an American Red Cross Apheresis donor for 13 years with 129 donations. He was a NAUI open water scuba diver and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 1342 in New Brighton. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 34 years, children, grandchildren, family and friends. Mr. Rich is survived by his wife, Kathleen Lackovic Rich; two sons, Michael Charles Rich and his girlfriend, Theresa Carbone, Ellwood City, and Adam Tyler Rich, at home, and his friend, Eryn Perkins, New Brighton; two daughters, Michele Marie Fabian and her husband, Andrew, Darlington, and Lori Ann Harris and her husband, Robert, New Galilee; five grandchildren, Ryan Robert Harris, Hayden Michael Harris, Brooke and Haley Poerio, and Jordan Anthony Fabian; a brother, Robert A. Rich and his wife, Jo, Beaver; three sisters, Mary Ann Banyas and her husband, John, Freedom; Joan Rowe and her husband, Dave, Freedom, and Diana Tatsch and her husband, John, in Kentucky.