Bernhardt L. "Ben" Lorch 83, of Fairbury passed away at 3:43 am, Monday, July 16, 2012 at Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury.

Funeral services will be 10 am, Friday, July 20, 2012 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury with the ministers of the church officiating. Burial will follow at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Fairbury with military rites conducted by Fairbury American Legion John Joda Post #54 and Fairbury VFW Post #9789.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 pm, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9 to 9:45 am prior to the service at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be directed to Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury; Apostolic Christian Church of Fairbury or the Livingston County Health Department Donation Fund, Pontiac.

Mr. Lorch was born April 23, 1929 in rural Fairbury the son of George and Anna Mary (Readle) Lorch. He married Marguerite Kilgus on October 18, 1953 in Fairbury. She survives in Fairbury.

Other survivors include his children, Mary Jane (John H.) Traub of Mandeville, LA; MaLinda (Scott) Hillman of Flanagan; Michael (Linda) Lorch of Lexington; one brother, John Lorch of Fairbury; six grandchildren, Tina (Larry) Beachler Jr., Amanda Traub, Kari (Reuben) Rosczyk, Ashley Hillman, Elizabeth Hillman and Alexis Locke, three great grandchildren, Larry Lee Beachler III, Andrew John Beachler and Carson Scott Rosczyk.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ray and Carl Roeseler and three sisters, Marie Kohlman, Ida Ruth Roach and Rose Bushman.

Ben served our country in the US Army during the Korean conflict. He was a member of Fairbury American Legion John Joda Post #54, Fairbury VFW Post #9789 and the Apostolic Christian Church of Fairbury. Ben was a loving Husband, Father and Grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.