Gordon Ellis Birch, 81, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died Thursday, July 1, 2010, at his home. He was under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. He was born October 23, 1928, in Wilford, Idaho, to Albert Henry and Alice Pearl Taylor Birch. He attended elementary school at Wilford Elementary and graduated from Sugar City High School. He served in the United States Army and the Army Reserves, serving as an E5-SGT in Korea. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He married Wilda Burch in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on June 17, 1955. He worked as a shoe salesman at J C Penney and Hudson Shoes and as a night auditor at the Star Dust Motel. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Spanish American Mission, as the Sunday School President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Elders Quorum President, Ward and Stake Clerk, Counselor in the Bishopric two times, High Priest Group Leader, Temple Ordinance Worker and Temple Sealer. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and being with his family. He is survived by the following: wife, Wilda Burch Birch of Idaho Falls; sons: Donald Jerry (Linda) Birch of Pocatello and Dale Gordon (Lori) Birch of Idaho Falls; daughters: Linda (Kellan) Smith and Cindy (Craig) Parker both of Idaho Falls; a sister, Ronella (Melvin) Hunt of Levan, Utah; brothers: Norval (Karen) Birch of St. Anthony and Paul (Carol) Birch of Phoenix, Arizona; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one grandson and one great-grandson. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at the LDS 11th Ward Building, 1235 Juniper, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 6:00-7:30 p.m., Monday, July 5, 2010, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at Fielding Memorial Park. Military rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Military Honor Guard. Online condolences may be sent to the family at coltrinmortuary.com.