MATTHEWS - Alva Bloyce Burch, 63, died on Dec. 31, 2007, at his home.
Born March 9, 1944, in Essex, to Donnie L. DeJournett Burch, who survives of Matthews, and the late Pete Burch, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a member of the Big Prairie Jaycees and a Boy Scout leader. He worked for 36 years as a maintenance mechanic for Noranda Aluminum.
On March 18, 1967, in Matthews, he married Nedra Throop, who survives of the home.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by one daughter, Kelli Smith of Matthews; one stepson, Garry Chesser of Sikeston; three brothers, Jim Burch and Dennis Burch of Matthews and Curtis Burch of Farrenburg; four sisters, Detsel Belvin and Robin Hough of Sikeston, and Shelia Polk and Karen Magee of Matthews; and four grandchildren, Chelsea Chesser of Atlanta, Ga., Bobbi Sue Treadway of East Prairie and Madison Thompson and Jonas Thompson of Matthews.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Glenda Burch.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. tonight at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services will be at 10 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Jeff Polk and Chris Polk, his nephews, will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors by the Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be: Melvin Belvin, Lonnie Polk, Patrick Magee, David Hough, Jody O'Barr and Harvey Graham.