LEONARD LORCH

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Leonard J. Lorch, 85, of Advance was born Dec. 21, 1915, at Claryville, Mo., son of the late Joseph B. Lorch and Anna T. Geisler. He passed away Feb. 20, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He moved to Advance during his teen-age years and started operating a Standard Oil service station at age 17. He became a Standard Oil agent in 1937 and remained involved with Lorch Oil Co. until his death.

His other business interests were farming and operating the Lorch Arena and Stables in Advance.

He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as president in the Missouri Quarter Horse Association for two terms, beginning in 1981.

Lorch was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and was very active in the organization of the Shoe Factory Building Committee, which was organized to bring industry to Advance.

He served on the Advance Board of Education 12 years. He led and carried the American Flag in the Advance Labor Day Parade more than 50 years, and led and carried the flag in the SEMO District Fair Parade many years. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting and showing horses.

Leonard and Claudine Tippett were united in marriage May 14, 1940, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include three sons, R. Wayne Lorch of Bartlett, Ill., Dennis J. Lorch and David A. Lorch of Advance; two brothers, Cletus Lorch of Pasadena, Md., Louis Lorch of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Sister Alvina Marie Lorch of Kirkwood, Mo., Mary Ann Germain of Belleville, Ill.; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lorch; two brothers, Orville and Vernon Lorch ; and a sister, Margaret Lorch.

Friends may call at Morgan Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today. Parish prayers will be at 4:30 p.m., and Knights of Columbus prayers will be at 5.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Father Frederick Lutz officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Advance Public School Foundations, P.O. Box 275, Advance, Mo., 63730.