Thomas P. Berch – West Newton
Thomas P. Berch, 90, of West Newton, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. He was born Jan. 27, 1934, in Donora, son of the late Josephine Ratkiewics Berch. He graduated from Rostraver High School, and then went on to serve in the U.S. Army. He was a 12-year member of West Newton United Presbyterian Church, as well as belonging to a motorcycle club and car club. He was a hard worker and began work at the young age of 14 on a local farm while attending school. Tom was self-employed as a construction worker for Local 66 and owned a mobile home park and trucking company during his lifetime. He enjoyed planting a yearly vegetable garden, eating cookies and milk and butter pecan ice cream. Tom loved to work with his hands and created beautiful woodworking, including a wooden nativity to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. He enjoyed listening to classical music, roller skating and ballroom dancing. Tom was a self-made man. He went through adversity and came out a very loving and kind man. He was very driven and never left anything unfinished. And what you saw was what you got with Tom. He was preceded in death by both parents; wife, Ruth (Ackerman) Berch; and brothers, Edward Berch and William Birch. He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Sandra (Nellson) Berch of West Newton; son, Bryan T. (Shirley) Berch of West Newton; stepdaughter, Christa (Alfred) Spina of Mead, Colo.; special granddaughter, Trinity; step-grandchildren, Olivia Foster, Rachel Donlan, Luke Halvorsen, Avery Halvorsen and Noah Halvorsen; special grandson, Zachary Berch; step-great- granddaughter, Madelynn Donlan; step-great-great-granddaughter, Everlee Donlan; and loving companions, Jasmine and Spencer. Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, at BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Rt 136 Madison, PA 15663 – Ronald A. Rich Jr., supervisor/funeral director. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at West Newton United Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., West Newton, PA 15089, with Pastor John Manon officiating and full military honors with the Armbrust Veterans accorded. Interment will follow at Westmoreland Memorial Park Cemetery in Greensburg. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.beatty-richfuneralhome.com.
