Robert Treat Branch, 83, of 1402 Flamingo Drive, Warsaw, went to be with the Lord at 12:03 p.m. April 8, 2007, in Warsaw, after an extended period under Hospice care.
He was born March 15, 1924, in Coldwater, Mich., to George M. and Helen Treat Branch. On Feb. 23, 1944, he married Barbara Helen Ayer, who survives.
He lived most of his life in Coldwater, where he raised a family of 11 children, 10 of whom survive, and was a home furnishings manager at JB Branch & Co. Dept. Store, Coldwater. He played an active role in the Coldwater Bible Chapel as a founding elder, teacher and youth leader. After attending Michigan State University, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving with the 96th Fighter Control Squadron, spending 23 months in the China/Burma/India Theater, stationed in Burma (Myanmar). He was honorably discharged in 1945. Moving to Warsaw seven years ago, he was a member of American Legion Post 49, Warsaw.
Also surviving are 10 children: Mrs. David (JoAnne) Nackoul, Mesa, Ariz.; Mrs. Rodney (Barbara) Bytwerk, Coldwater; Paul (and wife Sharon) Branch, Norfolk, Va.; John (and wife Judy) Branch, Lombard, Ill.; Mrs. Joseph (Beth) Riede, Des Moines, Iowa; Carol Tracy, Virginia Beach, Va.; Mrs. Barry (Laura) Garner, Ashland, Va.; Judson (and wife Karil) Branch, Auburn, Wash.; Nathan Scott Branch, Santa Monica, Calif.; and Roger Branch, Parker, Colo.; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. James (Annette) McLaughlin and Mrs. Donald (Julie) Byers, both of Coldwater. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Robert George Branch, and two sisters, Nancy Branch and Mrs. Robert (Susan) Nagle, all of Coldwater.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, with Dr. Robert Weiss and William Garner officiating, and with military rites by members of American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Warsaw. There will be refreshments after the service.
Calling is one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196, whose loving and tender care greatly eased the final months and days for both Robert and all those who loved him.
