STERLING – Harriet May Burch, 92, of Sterling, died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. She was a secretary at Sterling High School from 1970 to 1985.

May was born July 28, 1920, in Massillon, Ohio, the daughter of Sealon and Grace (Hopkins) Buffington. She served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945, First Regiment, First Battalion, First Company. She married Burdette Burch on June 8, 1946, in Barberton, Ohio. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sterling.

Survivors include her husband; five sons, James (Anne) of Mount Carroll, Paul (Jackie) of Killeen, Texas, David (Sandra) of Rock Falls, Daniel of Elizabeth, and Timothy (Marilee) of Springfield; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.