Branch, Earl, 79 of Modesto, California, died Monday, Oct. 11, 1982, at Modesto. He was a retired carpenter. Buried at Hartford Memorial Cemetery. He is survived by his wife: Bessie; 1 step-daughter:  Francis Staats, of Modesto; 1 son: Dewey Branch of Redlands, CA; 2 sisters: Faye Leverette, of Hartford, AR, and R-by Hall of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 2 brothers; Claud and Raymond Branch of Tulsa, OK.