Ernest Botsch

Ernest W. Botsch, 87, of Bernie, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born March 19, 1919, at Carmi, Ill., son of Christian W. Botsch and Flora Mary Winter Botsch. He and Dorothy Howell were married Dec. 24, 1939, in Dexter, Mo.

Botsch was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Malden, Mo., where he served as an elder. He was an avid traveler and was a retired dairyman and farmer of many years. His hobbies included painting and wood carving. He worked with the Land for the Landless and the Heifer International Project while serving as an agricultural missionary in Brazil.

Survivors include his wife; four daughters, JoAnn Smart of Tuscon, Ariz., Mary Lou Bass of Cape Girardeau, Judy Thurston of Bernie, Mo., and Joyce Ralston of Troutdale, Ore.; two brothers, Erwin Botsch and Orlando Botsch, both of Bernie, Mo., eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dennis Botsch.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 26 at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 with the Rev. Dr. Tom Bass officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.