Benjamin W. Burchard

Benjamin W. Burchard, Sr. of West Norriton and a former King of Prussia resident for over 35 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2010, in the company of his family at his home after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.Retired from Outside Grounds Maintenance and Backhoe Operator, he was employed at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia for 30 years. He was previously employed at Philadelphia County Club, Lee Tires and Alan Wood Steel, Conshohocken and Wyerhauser Paper Co. in W. Conshohocken. Ben also managed the Valley Tavern in Plymouth Valley for his father-in-law, owner Granville Williams. He was a former member of the Ascension United Church of Christ in Norristown and attended Upper Merion Baptist Church in King of Prussia. He was a life member of the USMC League, Valley Forge Detachment and a member of the American Legion Frank C. Parker Post 901 in Jeffersonville. Ben enjoyed Oldies music, hunting, fishing and watching Pro football, his collection of John Wayne and WW II movies and walks with his loving Lab, Sugar.Mr. Burchard was a US Marine Corps veteran, serving in the 1st and 4th Marine Division in Korea. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal and Battle Ribbon of the 1st Marine Division, Navy Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.Born on September 14, 1933 in Norristown, PA, he was the son of the late William H. Burchard and Lillian (Brown) Burchard-Culp. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan (Williams) Burchard; a son, Benjamin (Sharon) Burchard, Jr. of King of Prussia; two daughters, Candace Leigh (Christopher) Lichtner of Coatesville and Sandra Joan (David) Monyer of Gilbertsville; five grandchildren: Rebecca Eden Burchard, LCPL George Burchard USMC, currently serving in Afghanistan, Casey Leigh Monyer, Devon Elizabeth Monyer and Alexis Nicole Lichtner; half-brother, Gerald (Linda) Burchard of Schwenksville; stepsister, Sharon (Jim) Tule of Twilight, TX; sister-in-law, Christine (Robert) Penn of Danielsville; and many nephews and nieces. Mr. Burchard was preceded in death by his step-father, Otto Culp and step-mother, Evelyn Burchard.Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service at The Bacchi-Courtney Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., 805 DeKalb St. (Rt. 202), Bridgeport, PA 19405 on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 10:00am. Officiating will be the Rev. Kathryn Eagle, Pastor of Upper Merion Baptist Church. His viewings will be Tuesday evening from 6 to 8pm and Wednesday morning from 9 to 9:50am, both at the funeral home. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, W. Norriton.In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be sent in Ben's memory to Upper Merion Baptist Church, 585 General Steuben Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406.www.bacchicourtney.com