Joseph D. Burtschi's Obituary
Joseph D. Burtschi 90, of Decatur Died Sunday October 17, 2004 in St. Mary's Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:00 am Thursday October 21, 2004 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where he was an active member. Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with a Prayer service at 5:45 pm. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Decatur. Memorials may be made to the Julius L. Burtschi Scholarship Fund at St. Teresa High School in Decatur or to donor's choice. View the on-line obituary and send condolences to the family at www.moranandgoebel.com
Mr. Burtschi was born on February 11, 1914 in Decatur, the son of Julius L. and Martha Stephan Burtschi. He married Margaret Eloise Thorpe in 1935, who survives him. Also surviving is their daughter, Martha E. Cavanaugh and her husband James R. of Decatur; their son James J. Burtschi and his wife Anita of Decatur; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Robert J. Burtschi of Decatur; sisters Jane Hodge of Avon, IN; and Lucy Grady of Albuquerque, NM.
One brother Julius R. Burtschi and two sisters, Mary Bretz and Betty Davis preceded him in death.
From 1938 until his death Mr. Burtschi was manager of Burtschi & Company. The business was founded by his father in 1890 and along with several subsidiaries was active in real estate, insurance, Mortgage lending, and other related activities, having built over 1, 000 homes and commercial properties in Decatur and in the state of Oklahoma.
During his lifetime, Mr. Burtschi was active in numerous civic, business, and church related activities including the presidency of Decatur Board of Realtors, a founder and vice-president of First Federal Savings and Loan from 1953 to 1989, Trustee of the Burtschi Family Trust from 1938 until his death, lay-trustee of St. James Church from 1958 to 1983, and a 65 year member of the Decatur Council of Knights of Columbus.
His lifestyle was quiet and unassuming, avoiding publicity and was dedicated to his family and business.
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