Francis Merle Burchard

Francis Merle “Moe” Burchard passed peacefully at MMC - TCU on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

He was born in Guys Mills on January 2, 1926, as the third of eight children to Harry and Eleanor Burchard.

He attended Randolph High School for 12 years and was the tallest player on the basketball team at a towering 6’0”! After graduating in 1943 he joined the Merchant Marines for the World War II effort and served as a galley mate while seeing the world, to include parts of South America, Europe, Africa, and the Mid-East. After being discharged he was drafted into the Army to serve 1 year in occupied Japan and honed his mechanic skills working on tanks.

Upon returning home he worked at the Post Office and at Talon before settling into a lifelong career as an auto mechanic, mostly at Wentworth Auto, but also at Griffin Motors and for a short time at the former Terrill Brothers Garage in Guys Mills. 

In 1949 he married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Cutshall, and together they raised four children. After 56 years of marriage, Joanne passed in 2006.

Francis always loved sports. In his younger days he played baseball and basketball, and in later years could be seen on his regular spot in the bleachers at Randolph and Maplewood basketball games and volleyball matches.

He built and drove stock cars locally for Bill Holcomb. His biggest accomplishment as a driver was season champion at Dempseytown in 1958. Other fun things to do were weekend camping with relatives and friends, hunting, telling jokes (prepare to cringe!) and playing cards. Some of us remember the big 4th of July celebrations in Guys Mills and he was the first Mr. Guys Mills!

Moe loved to work with and get his hands dirty. He built the house across from Mt. Hope Church, by himself, from laying the foundation to the finish trim. He also remodeled and lived in 4 other homes throughout the years. He and his brother Clair used their carpentry skills, working at night, and on weekends as a second job. He was always generous with his time, offering help to family and friends. If they needed something fixed or built, this was the guy who knew what to do and how to do it. In addition to major building and remodeling, he made pie safes, desks, tables, quilt racks and numerous other items for family members. We remember him always keeping busy doing things like gardening, food canning and freezing, caning chairs, supporting his family in all their life activities, and occasionally rescuing one of his kids from some crisis!

This guy didn’t sit around much except on Sunday. This day of rest was for going to church, having a nice home cooked meal, then visiting family and friends, or something else fun.

Community service was an important part of Merle’s life. Benefiting from his clear thinking and analytical skills; little league coaching, Randolph VFD, Mt. Hope Church, Randolph Twp Supervisor and Mt. Hope Cemetery board. He also served for many years on Randolph-East Mead school board, being the last President to serve when REM became part of Penncrest. As a final act of servitude, he wished his remains to be donated to medical research.

Preceding him in death are wife Joanne Cutshall Burchard, son Doug Burchard, parents Harry and Eleanor Burchard, in-laws William and Hazel Cutshall, sisters Jennie Burchard, Wilmina Jean McGinnis, Harriet Porter, and Wanda Richael, and brothers Harry and Claire Burchard.

Survivors are children; Dennis (Marsha)Burchard, Marsha K. Burchard, Jane (Juice) Agner, and daughter in-law Penny Burchard. Grandchildren; Amy (Scott) Hummel, Evan (Jade) Burchard, Jerrod (Monica) Agner, Jonah (Nancy) Agner, Joel (Nicole) Agner, Cory (Rachel) Burchard, and Hannah Burchard. Great-grandchildren: (Dennis)-Gretchen, Max, and Ruby, (Jane)-Spike, Donovan, Alanna, Oakes, and a baby expected in August, (Doug)-Colton, Hudson, Ava, and Miani; brother Bruce (Nancy) Burchard; numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. Also, a second wife Carol.

We would like to thank the VA, MMC and TCU for their compassionate care, special helpers; Jim Brace, Becky Francisco, and cousins, friends, and neighbors who helped us with this journey.

Per Merle’s wishes, memorials may be made to Mt. Hope Cemetery, C/O Linda Ruggiero, 10018 State Hwy 198, Guys Mills, PA 16327. Plans for a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. 99 years…a life well lived…indeed!

Arrangements have been entrusted to ROSE AND WAID FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC. 581 CHESTNUT ST. MEADVILLE.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosefh.com