Doris E. Bercher

Doris Eileen McMurrich Bercher died Monday, May 12, 2014. Doris was born in Bismarck, N.D. to Hugh Alexander McMurrich and Ruth Pauline Welch McMurrich. Doris moved from there to Washington D.C. during WWII to work where she met and married the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) A. Bercher. In 1958 Doris and Gene moved back to Gene’s hometown of Fort Smith, where together they founded Bercher Tire Service, Inc. which is now in it’s 56th year of business.

Doris has been an active member of the Fort Smith Rose Society since 1971, and a member of the American Rose Society since 1980. Doris was also a member of the Fort Smith Garden Club and National Council of Garden Clubs. Doris won several awards in rose arrangement and conducted many arrangement seminars sharing her knowledge and techniques of the subject. Doris was awarded the ARS Bronze Medal from the American Rose Society, which is the highest award given by the ARS at the local level. She was active as a Horticulture and Arrangement judge attending more than 10 National Rose Shows judging both horticulture and arrangements. One of Doris’ highest honors was in receiving the National Millie Walters Trophy for Rose Arrangements at the National Rose Show in Tulsa, OK in 1994. Doris also won the National Keepsake Award in Rose Arranging at the National Show and Convention in Nashville, TN. Doris was also a nationally accredited Flower Show Judge of the Garden Club.

In addition to her parents, Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years marriage, Eugene A. Bercher, and two siblings Kenneth Johnston and Bernice Johnston. Doris was of the Presbyterian faith.

Doris is survived by two sons, Kerry L. Bercher and wife Caroline of Lavaca, AR and Kim E. Bercher and wife Andra Jean of Fort Smith; four grandchildren, Keeley J. Banic and husband Greg of Midlothian, VA, Erin L. Bercher of Fayetteville, AR, Lauren J. Appleby and husband Matt of Flower Mound, TX, and Andrew Heath Bercher of Rogers, Arkansas; four great-grandchildren Madeline and Claire Banic and Sterling and Christian Appleby; nephews and nieces Gail Mardikian of Gillette, WY, Keith and Steven Johnston of Bismarck, N.D., and Joyce Johnston of Lincoln, N.D.; plus extended family and numerous friends including Jack Holzman of Fort Smith, Paul Leggett of Fort Smith and Sherrell Buchanan and husband Bill of Fort Smith.

Cremation and private burial will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery will be under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. A “Celebration of Life” to be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Fort Smith Rose Society c/o Rose Mary Wingfield, 2419 South L. Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 and the Garden Club of Fort Smith c/o Diane Parker - 12936 Rock Creek Rd, Mulberry, AR 72947-8802.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.