Kathleen Alice Burch

Kathleen Alice Imel Burch, 81, of Lake Lure, NC, died Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Mrs. Burch was a daughter of the late Howard and Beulah Imel of Mount Caroll, IL. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William H. Burch of Lake Lure, NC, daughter, Patty Lee Burch Hass, son, William Scott Burch, and by three brothers. She came to the Hickory Nut Gorge area in 1957 as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of the Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave. She served the church in many ways throughout her life. She was an Associate Sister to the Convent of Transfiguration. She was a volunteer in many organizations in the Hickory Nut Gorge area, including Lake Lure Zoning, Lake Lure Volunteer Fire Department, Hickory Nut Gorge EMS, Lake Lure community club, and the Lake Lure Ski Club. Mrs. Burch is survived by two daughters, Robin Elaine Burch Parton of Rutherfordton and Kathleen Jo Burch Marple of Weaverville, NC; four granddaughters, Christina Elaine Jones of Thomasville, NC, Angela Robin Darling of Asheville, Cynthia Denise Ragsdale of Asheville, and Kayla Rae Marple of Weaverville, NC; and three great-granddaughters, Ainsley and Rachael Jones and Joanna Grace Darling. She always took great delight in her children, grand and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Angeline Wernet, and brothers Lyle "Butch" Imel (Linda), Larry Imel (Janet), and Gary Imel (Vickie). Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, with the Rev. Fr. Robert Mugan officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Church of the Transfiguration or Madison County Hospice. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.