Dewey J. Kirch

Carthage - Dewey J. Kirch, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2025, while at Carthage Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, where he had been a resident for some time.

A public calling hour will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., located at 500 State Street in Carthage, NY 13619. A Memorial Service will follow the calling hour at 11:00 am in the Lundy Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Canon Samuel P. Lundy officiating. A graveside service will follow at Fairview Cemetery, where Dewey will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Betty. Following the graveside service, the family would like to invite everyone to a luncheon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Dionne-Rumble Post 7227, located at 668 West End Ave, Carthage, NY 13619.

Dewey was born in Dexter, NY, on October 3, 1929, to the late Lawrence and Lenora (Hilts) Kirch. He enlisted and served in the United States Army from 1951-1952 through the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, Dewey went on to work as a papermaker for the St. Regis Paper Mill for many years, until his eventual retirement.

Dewey married Betty Robbins on May 19, 1952, and they spent 73 beautiful years together before her passing in June of 2025.

For many, retirement marks a period of slowing down in life, but it seems that Dewey had never heard that fact . He spent quite some time as the head maintenance man for the First Baptist Church, and for many years, he could be found walking around Carthage with one of the many dogs he rescued, helping lead the Carthage CROP Hunger Walk, or loading trucks for the Carthage Food Pantry. Always wanting to lend a helping hand, Dewey actually went back and earned his GED after retiring, for the sole purpose of being able to provide free help with taxes for the older community in Carthage. Alongside his wife, Betty, they were a huge part of the Carthage Center community, always making sure that everyone was well cared for and had a smile on their face. He was also an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.

He is survived by his children, Michel (David) Camidge of Baldwinsville, Diane (Fred) Joels of Carthage, Cathy (Henry) Abrams of Carthage, and Steven Kirch of Carthage; along with his 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Barb Smith, Claude Kirch, and David Kirch; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dewey is predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty; his son, James Kirch, who passed in 2023; and his parents, Lawrence and Lenora.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewis County Humane Society, located at 6390 Pine Grove Road, Glenfield, NY 13343, or to the Carthage Food Pantry, located at 495 S. Washington Street, Carthage, NY 13619.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Lundy Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. at 500 State Street, Carthage, NY, 13619. Online condolences in his memory can be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com