Date of death: 3/31/2023

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1963

Edward Matthias Kirch, 85, of North Richland Hills, TX, passed away March 31, 2023, two days before his 86th birthday, surrounded by his loving family. Ed was a father, grandpa, and beloved husband to Carla Toffolo Kirch for 49 years.

Edward was born April 2, 1937 to Louis Francis and Marie Clara Bray Kirch in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on May 5, 1963 at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. He later married Carla Louise Toffolo January 26th, 1974.

Ed and Carla moved to Dallas, TX in 1975 where he spent 10 years as the Executive Director of the ARC serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ed later co-founded the environmental training company GEBCO Associates based in Hurst, Texas. Ed spent his retirement years serving the “least of these” through various ministries including Food for the Poor. Ed and Carla enjoyed traveling, making it to all 50 states and 16 countries.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Marie Kirch, his sister, Jean Feldhake, and brother, Richard Kirch.

Ed is survived by his wife, Carla, daughters and sons-in-law Joy and Jason Lee, Heidi and Joe Londt, and Sarah and Clint Ford. Edward also leaves behind ten beloved grandchildren: Julia and Jenna Lee, Abigail, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Hannah Londt, Sarah and Wade Behringer, and Jackson, Savannah, and Samuel Ford.