Obituary – Michael E. Rich
Contributed to Genealogy Pit Stop
By Kathryn Hunt
Beaver County Times – December 13, 2005
BIG BEAVER – Michael E. Rich, 56, of Big Beaver and a lifelong resident of the area, passed away Sunday, December 11, 2005, in his home following an extended illness. He was welcomed into his heavenly home by the open arms of Jesus, his Savior.
Born September 18, 1949 in Beaver Falls, a son of the late Robert H and Kathryn Phyllis Koehler Rich, he was employed as a letter carrier technician at the New Brighton Post Office, retiring after 28 years of service. He attended the Chippewa Evangelical Free Church. A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam war, he was a member of the U.S. Uniformed Retiree Army, a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the 11th Armored Calvary’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. He was a P.I.A.A. basketball official for 19 years and was an American Red Cross Apheresis donor for 13 years with 129 donations. He was a NAUI open water scuba diver and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 1342 in New Brighton.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 34 years, children, grandchildren, family and friends. Mr. Rich is survived by his wife, Kathleen Lackovic Rich, two sons, Michael Charles Rich and his girlfriend, Theresa Carbone, Ellwood City, and Adam Tyler Rich, at home, and his friend Eryn Perkins, New Brighton; two daughters, Michele Marie Fabian and her husband Andrew of Darlington and Lori Ann Harris and her husband Robert of New Galilee; five grandchildren, Ryan Robert Harris, Hayden Michael Harris, Brooke and Haley Poerio and Jordan Anthony Fabian; a brother, Robert A. Rich and his wife Jo of Beaver; three sisters, Mary Ann Banyas and her husband John of Freedom; Joan Rowe and her husband Dave of Freedom; and Diana Tatsch and her husband John, of Flatwoods, KY; several nieces and nephews; his mother-in-law, Marie Lackovic of Conway and many friends.
Friends will be received Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the CAMPBELL’S CHIPPEWA FUNERAL HOME, 2618 Darlington Road and Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. in the Chippewa Evangelical Free Church, 239 Braun Road, Beaver Falls. His pastor, the Rev. Jeff McNichol, and Glenn Lester will co-officiate.
Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial park, Daugherty Township.
Full military rites will be conducted at 12:15 p.m. at the cemetery by the Beaver County Special Unit.