Don R. Burton

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Don R. Burton

Feb. 6, 1935 - Dec. 4, 2017

BARTLEY, Neb. — Don R. Burton passed away peacefully at his rural Bartley home on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old.

Don was born on Feb. 6, 1935, at Bartley to parents, Myrl and Leona (Porter) Burton. He graduated from Bartley High School with the class of 1953.

On June 6, 1954, he was united in marriage to Suzanne DeVeny at the McCook Christian Church. To this union five children were born. They made their home near Bartley, where Don would work for a gas station, dam work at the Swanson Reservoir, fireman for the railroad and Klein’s Electric. In 1961, the offer from Kerst brothers to attain the well drilling business was offered to the couple. So at that time around the kitchen table, with Suzie keeping books and Don working the drilling end, the conception of Burton Well Drilling was conceived, a successful business that Don was still running at the time of his passing with the help of his family.

The couple traveled to south Texas for 27 years, approximately six months out of the year, where they both volunteered for a children’s home. Don drove a tour bus and Suzi organized and volunteered in the thrift shop, a rewarding experience for both of them.

Don was a member of the Bartley and McCook Christian Church, Bartley Masonic Lodge, McCook Shriners Lodge, and Nebraska Well Drilling Association, where he had served as president at one time. He also volunteered as an EMT and fireman for the town of Bartley. He enjoyed playing golf, scuba diving, flying his plane, riding his Harley, playing cards, and most of all, spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Myrl and Leona Burton; an infant daughter, Rosalie; and an infant brother, James.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Suzie Burton of Bartley; son, David Burton and wife, Cindy, of Bartley; daughters, Cindy and husband, Gary Haag of Bandera, Texas, Ivy and husband, Pat Stritt of Bartley and Mary Jo and husband, Duane Teter of Bartley; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Burton and wife, Pam, of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Juniata and husband, Jacob Haller of Richland, Mo., and Charlotte and husband, Larry Fisher of North Platte; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to the Rural Medical Hospice of Holdrege, Children’s Haven International, or Shriners Hospital.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.herrmannfh.com

Memorial service will be Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, 11 a.m. at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates officiating. A private family inurnment in the Bartley Cemetery will be at a later time.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is entrusted with arrangements.