Sonja M. Burch

Sonja M. Burch, age 88, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away at 3:57 pm on Tuesday March 3, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on June 11, 1937, in Greenville, OH, she was the daughter of W. Harvey and Elsie (Kinney) McKee.

Sonja attended Greenville High School. On June 27, 1964, she married James A. Burch at the Church of Christ, Leo, IN. Sonja later attended Ivy Tech to earn her LPN, following her daughter Leisa attendance. They then worked together at Lutheran Hospital, Parkview Randallia Hospital, and for Dr. Thomas Kintanar. Sonja worked for Pediatric Home Health Care after moving to South Carolina, where she and Jim lived for 17 years, before her retirement in 2002, and return to Fort Wayne.

Sonja attended Wallen Baptist Church, Fort Wayne. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, scrapbooking, making cards, stamp collecting, and making wood carvings, in addition to being a talented oil painter.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years James Burch of Fort Wayne; children Jeff (Rhonda) Burch and Greg Ryder, both of Fort Wayne and Mike (Edna) Ryder of Travelers Rest, SC; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Judy (Dan) Blagg of New Bremen, OH.

She was preceded in death by her parents W. Harvey McKee and Elsie Long, stepfather Chet Long, sister Jane Polei, daughter Leisa Arter, grandson Matthew Snyder, and great-granddaughter Camdyn Snyder.

Friends may call on Monday March 9, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 pm at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN.

Private burial in Marion National Cemetery, Marion, IN.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.