Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 12:30 PM in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, MD with Fr. Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Visitation: Viewing/Visitation will be held on Friday, February 1, 2008 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home where Prayers will be held at 7:00 PM.

Lewis Theodore "Ted" Birch, 53, of Piney Point, MD died January 30, 2008 in John Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Born February 25, 1954 in Leonardtown, MD he was the son of Raymond Thompson and Ada Stone Birch. He was the beloved husband of Agnes Elizabeth Goddard Birch whom he married on December 8, 1979 in Leonardtown, MD.

He is survived by his children: Tammy Vincena and her husband Bill, Ruthie Birch, Ben Birch and Katie Birch; siblings: Tom Ray Birch, Randy Birch, Gail Dean, Joe Birch, Judy Free, Lou Lou Pulliam, Cheryl Rogers and Janet Jenkins and 2 grandchildren.

Mr. Birch was a life long St. Mary's County resident, where he graduated from Great Mills High School Class of 1972. Ted served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years from February 9, 1973 – April 23, 1979. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, crabbing and making wood carvings.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 1, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, with Prayers being said at 7:00 PM followed by Knights of Columbus Prayers at 7:10 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 12:30 PM in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, MD with Msgr. John Mylinsky officiating along with Fr. Ron Amiot, S.J. and Fr. Joseph Sileo co-officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Willie Free, Rodney Thompson, Jimmy Hanson, Dan Garrett, Steve Henderson and Donnie Poe. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Tom Ray Birch, Randy Birch and Joe Birch.

Contributions may be made to the 2nd District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692.