Mitchell Mitch McFarland Murch

Beloved husband for 64 Blessed Years to Elaine Ing Murch, dearest father of Barbara (Stuart) Elmore, Melissa (George) Kriegshauser, Tim (Becky), Betsy (Jeff) Osterloh, and Mitchell M. II (the late Cathy) Murch; dear Papa to Andrew (Dr. Morgan) and Patrick Elmore, Kelly (Dr. Rajiv) Patel, George W. (Lindsey) Kriegshauser, Connor, Max, and Colle Murch, Parker and Clayton Osterloh, and the late Mitchell M. III and Mary Claire Murch; dear great Papa to Devan and Isaac Patel, and George L. Kriegshauser; our dear uncle, cousin and friend to many.

Mitch was a one in a million type of guy who left a positive impression on every person or endeavor he ever touched. Mitch's life was a wild ride and while not easy, he made it fun. Along the way he amassed thousands of friends and admirers.

Mitch poured his love, energy and passion into the businesses he created, trade organizations that he co-founded, Mizzou Alumni, The Buddy Fund, The Guadalupe Center and dozens of additional organizations, boards of directors and philanthropies that he was very proud to help.

Becoming a lifelong entrepreneur out of necessity following his Mother’s death when he was 12, Mitch eventually became a pioneer in the building services contracting industry and became one of the World’s most successful janitors.

However, Mitch was most proud of his Family. It is truly what he loved the most and he created countless wonderful memories for his kids, grandkids their friends on athletic fields, on horseback, on lakes, streams and in Jeeps, stadiums and over the occasional Budweiser. All the while though, Mitch gave credit to Elaine, his wife of 64 blessed years for raising the kids and making them the people they are.

We could try to do this obituary justice, but condensing Mitch’s life, accomplishments, passions, energy, enthusiasm, humor, gratitude, philanthropy, spirit and fire into a few inches of newsprint just isn’t possible.

As a matter of fact, Mitch left 17 pages of typed, single-spaced instructions on what to do in the event that he might one day pass. With such a long list of passions, accomplishments, and countless wonderful, funny stories, we encourage you to put on your loudest plaid clothing and join us at a celebration of Mitch’s life with the details outlined below.

Services: A Memorial Celebration of Mitch’s life will be held on Saturday, January 3 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Ballroom, 1335 South Lindbergh (at Clayton Rd.) from 12:30 pm until 4:30 pm. A tribute will begin at 2:30 pm.

Memorials to the Buddy Fund, 2827 Clark Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63103(www.buddyfund.org) or the Guadalupe Center, 509 Hope Circle, Immokalee, FL 34142 (www.guadalupecenter.org) appreciated.