James Lee Birch

WESTFIELD - James "Jim" Lee Birch, 83, passed away at his home surrounded by family on October 27, 2025, after a long battle with kidney and heart disease.

He was born December 3, 1941, to Robert and Vera Birch of rural Charleson. Jim grew up in the Charleston area and moved after sixth grade to Artesia, N.M. Upon graduation, Jim returned to Illinois to pursue a career in farming. He married Carolyn Joan Lang on January 31, 1963, and together they raised three children: Harold Arnold, Sheila Marie, and Chester Lee.

Jim was a member of Enon Baptist Church of Ashmore, where he was a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, trustee, and a member of the choir. He served his community as a 4-H leader, tax assessor, volunteer county sheriff deputy, Mason, PTA president, and member of the Ashmore Community Club. In addition to farming, he operated his own trucking business, as well as working for Cox Motors, Cannonball Grain, Coffey Brothers, Heartland Pork, and Ashmore township road commissioner. He raised Shorthorn cattle and had a large hog operation. He was known by his CB handle "Pig Farmer" to many friends. Upon retirement, he continued working for Strader Farms.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Arnold and Vera Irene Birch, and two brothers, Robert Birch Jr. and Hugh Ivan Birch. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Birch of Westfield; their three children and their spouses, Harold and Regina Birch of Piasa, Ill., Sheila and Fred Jaeger of Ashmore, Ill., and Chester and Christian Birch of Lorena, Tex.; six grandchildren, Richard Birch of Medora, Ill., Hope and Eric Huels of Ballwin, Mo., MariaLynn and Brian Crosby of Affton, Mo., Charlotte and Grant Ellington of W. Lafayette, Ind., Caty Beth Birch and Colton Birch of Lorena, Tex.; and three great-grandchildren, Kaydence Huels and Charli Jo Huels of Baldwin, Mo., and Camilla Ellington, of W. Lafayette, Ind. He is also survived by a sister, Sue Warren of Mayhill, N.M., and two sisters-in-law, Marie Birch of Artesia, N.M., and Carol Birch of Albuquerque, N.M., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim will always be remembered for his practical jokes, contagious laughter, and never getting the bedtime story "right" for the grandkids. He will be missed.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. (NOON) Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Enon Baptist Church, 23262E CR 880N, Ashmore, with the Funeral service honoring his life beginning at 12:00 p.m. (NOON).  Burial will follow in Enon Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Apache Creek Deaf & Youth Ranch, PO BOX 260, Reserve, NM  87830-9901 In his name. Arrangements: Harper-Swickard.