Orlando Frederick Botsch was born February 3, 1926 to Christian William Botsch and Flora Mary Winter Botsch in Carmi, Illinois.  He died peacefully in his sleep at his home Sunday, December 2, 2018 at the age of 92.

At the age of twelve, Orlando and his family moved to and started a new life on a farm east of Bernie.  Being raised on a farm, farming became his vocation.

Orlando graduated from Bernie High School in 1942 at the age of 16.  He was drafted into the United States Army during World War II on July 28, 1944.  He obtained the rank of Master Sergeant, serving as Battalion Sergeant Major for the 808 Engineer Aviation Battalion until his discharge in August of 1946.  Although he was in the Army, he spent a total of 64 days and nights on water during that time.

Orlando married Dorothy Lee Quinn on Christmas Day, 1952.  They moved to the house Orlando had built on the farm and lived the rest of their lives.

To this union two children were born, Rhonda Arlene and Steven Kent.  Dorothy preceded Orlando in death on May 23, 2001.

Although a farmer, Orlando had many other interests.  In the early sixties Orlando partnered with Kenneth Davis for a short time and co-owned Botsch-Davis Supermarket.  He was a substitute mail carrier for a few years.  In August of 1955 Orlando bought his first airplane, building a 2000 foot runway by his home.  He had also been involved with the Bernie Jaycee’s.

After retiring from farming in 1987, he bought (in his words) the prettiest bike he could find.  He rode it to all of the lower 48 state capitols; up the eastern coast to the northern tip of Newfoundland; up the western coast to Prince George, Canada; and down south into Mexico. In so doing, he fulfilled his motorcycle dream.

Orlando was a faithful and long-time member of the Bernie United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his children, Rhonda McGuire & husband Jim and Steven Botsch, all of Bernie; by one grandson, Jeremy McGuire & wife Kristi; by great grandchildren, Jescie & fiancé Cameron, Dylan and Breanna.

He was preceded in death other than by his parents and his wife, by his three older brothers, Ernest, Erwin and Dennis.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Monday, December 3, 2018 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday Morning, December 4, 2018 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie at 11:00 A.M. 

Rev. Dave Fowler officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery with Full Military Honors. 

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.