Dorothy Burtch

Dorothy "Dot" Esther Burtch, 82, of Rockford, died at 11:56 p.m., Thursday, September 11, 2014, at Lima Memorial Health System, in Lima, Ohio. She was born November 14, 1931, to Herbert E. and Connie E. (Felver) Levihn. On July 17, 1954, she married Thomas E. Burtch, and he survives in Rockford. Dot was the secretary and accountant at Burtch Seed Company in Tama, Ohio, for years. Together with her husband, Tom, they started the business and were co-owners. She had lived in Rockford since 1960, coming from Paulding, Ohio. She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Celina, Ohio, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved her family, and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whether they were making cookies together, or she was watching them play sports--she was their biggest fan! She grew to be an avid sports fan of Parkway, OSU, and the Reds--after putting up with her husband Tom's love of sports for so many years--they always enjoyed watching their favorite teams. Although Dot never wanted to be in the spotlight, she had so many accomplishments, and was well-respected by her peers. Their business not only won Business of the Year award while they were at the Seed House, but Dot had the honor one year of being Rockford's "Citizen of the Year". Surviving in addition to her husband, Tom, are one daughter, Susie Christman of Huntertown, Indiana and five sons, Tom (Lori) Burtch of Rockford, John (Tina) Burtch of Westerville, Ed (Misti) Burtch of Rockford, Robert (Cheryl) Burtch of Minster, and Mike (Melissa) Burtch of Rockford. Also surviving are sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Deceased are two brothers, Robert and Herbert Levihn, one sister Margaret Levihn, and a son-in-law, Dan Christman. Services will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., at New Horizons Community Church in Rockford, with Rev. Dr. Jeffery Gramza officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call at the church on Monday, from 2:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to Wernle Children's Home in Richmond, Indiana or to ARC, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.