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Well Known Erie Funeral Director G. David Burton, born in Erie, Pa., a son of the late Donald C. and Ruth Trask Burton, graduated from Strong Vincent High School, Colgate University, Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, and the National Foundation of Funeral Service. He then joined the U.S. Air Force, following which he joined the family firm and became the fourth generation of the Burton Funeral Home to serve the Erie area. In 1964, Dave became president of the firm, due to the unexpected death of his father. Under his guidance, the firm expanded and grew to four locations serving Erie County. Over the years, he was also a partner in the Johnson-Romito Funeral Homes, which operated four homes in the Cleveland area, and the Thomas Hyll Funeral home in St. Croix. He also operated Ericson Memorial Studios. For recreation, Dave enjoyed squash, tennis, boating and skiing. Dave strongly believed in giving back to the community that provided him his living, and generously donated both his time and resources to a number of charitable, religious and fraternal organizations, including the American Heart Association, ACES, Salvation Army, Hamot Medical Center, Erie Council of Churches, First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Erie Day School, Sertoma Club of Erie, Rotary Club of Erie, United Way and the Vote Yes Committee, to change the Erie County form of government. He was a member of Lawrence Lodge No. 708 F.&A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Erie, where he was coronated a 33rd Degree Mason in 1988; Zem Zem Temple Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters. He served on several Masonic committees, and held several offices, was very active in Masonic Degree work, and was active in many professional associations where he was a regular lecturer and officer, including National Foundation of Funeral Service, National Selected Morticians, International Order of the Golden Rule, and the Erie County, Pennsylvania and National Funeral Directors Associations. He received the Airman of the Year Award while serving the 757th Troop Carrier Squadron of the U.S. Air Force in 1961, Jaycee Young Man of the Year Award in 1970, the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award in 1977, and the Scottish Rite Meritorious Service Award in 2009. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his children: Jeffrey D. Burton and his wife Lori, Karen Burton Horstman and her husband Mark, Peter Burton, all of Erie, Donald C. Burton II and his wife Tish, of Southport, Conn., 12 grandchildren: Andrew, Allison, Abbey, Isabel, Ben, Eric, Jenna, Kenly, David and Whitney Burton, Julia and Jonathan Horstman, and one great-grandson Joey Burton. He is further survived by his brother Dr. John R. Burton and his wife Lynda Colclesser Burton, his nieces Susan Hughes, husband Tom, Alice Puente, husband Mark, his nephew Dan Burton, wife Kim, and his grand nieces and nephews Andy, Anna and Michael Hughes, Jack and Emily Burton, Kate and Claire Puente, all of Baltimore, and his cousins John Reynolds, David and Susan Reynolds Williamson. He is also survived by a ton of close friends, many good friends, and numerous acquaintances, for all of whom he was very grateful. He was preceded in death by a sister Marilyn, his cousins Wilson and Jim Reynolds, and his first wife Ruth Herrlich Burton. Friends may call at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th Street, on Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 9:00-9:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant McBrier Chapel, 247 West 6th Street, and are invited to services in the church sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. Burial in Erie Cemetery. Lawrence Lodge No. 708 F.&A.M. will conduct Masonic services at the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Tax deductible memorials may be made to Swim Across America for Cancer Research, c/o John Burton, 3 St. Johns Rd., Baltimore, MD 21210, or Regional Cancer Center, 2500 West 12th Street, Erie PA 16505. Send condolences at www.BurtonFuneralHome.com
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Peter, so sorry for your loss. Sorry I couldn't be at the services. My thoughts are with you.
Ron Weislogel
December 15, 2012
To Pete, my friend, and the entire Burton Family,
My heartfelt sympathies to you all. I am very sorry I wasn't home to show my respect in person. I know what it feels like to lose a Father, but what better way of getting through this...the knowing that he has gone to live a life eternally with God. Your Dad, like mine, was the backbone, the mentor, the one that was ALWAYS there to pick you up if you felt "things" were getting tough. Keep following that path, Pete...keep doing what you're doing and never, ever lose your compassion for others.
Love you dearly...
Connie Rupp
December 14, 2012
Dear Barb, Peter and the Burton family, I am very sorry to hear of Dave's passing. I will always hold the memories of fun filled nights spent with Barb and Dave, as well as his sense of humor and sense of community. You are all in my thoughts and prayers! He was truly a remarkable man and will be missed by all whose lives he has touched through the years!
Laura Rogers
December 9, 2012
Karen, Peter and the entire Burton family. Anne and I are so sorry to hear of the death of Dave. He was a pure delight every time I saw him. Always smiling and gracious. We will miss him dearly.
Jim and Anne Ryan
December 8, 2012
We were kids, neighbors, playmates, and we shared the bing cherries of the tree next door.
Sincere condolences, wishes for the cherries of the future somewhere. Ice cream too.
John Henry
H. John Henry
December 8, 2012
although i couldnt make it to the funeral my condolences goes out to the family and as only your father could do he went out in style. i wouldve loved to have been there with you all!
john miller
December 8, 2012
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. You have my sympathies in this time of your sorrow.
Medis Kent
December 7, 2012
To Dave's Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, and mine. I am sure Dave's passing leaves a void in the hearts of all of us who knew him well. I have so many fond memories and will treasure those forever. Barbara, Peter, Karen and Family, please accept my deepest sympathy and know you are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Judy
Judith Emling
December 7, 2012
Dear barb n family.
It was my honor to know david n all of you. David n Barb was like my second parents always loving n teaching n always understanding n giving n always on the go i will always remember those days n i will miss him always
lisa fulkrod
December 6, 2012
So very sorry to hear about David's passing. We send our sympathy and thought and prayers to the entire family. We are with our daughters in California and unable to attend services for Dave.
J. Patrick Kloecker
December 6, 2012
Dear Barbara and Dave's Children. His love of family, friends, and community was exceptional. Serving with him at the United Way, Hamot, Erie Day School, and numerous fund raising events was inspirational. Competing with him on the squash court was humbiling. One of my favorite memories
is the Dutch Road Old Men Football Bash against the Fairview HS team - and winning! He is loved and will be missed. Bruce and Lynda Lang Sarasota FL
December 6, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Orr Family
December 6, 2012
I knew him from a very young age and he was a remarkable man. We will all miss him. robert and marcia hubbell
December 6, 2012
To Peter and all the Burtons,
Please accept my condolences on Dave's passing. He was so kind to my mother, Ruth, and a friend to my father, Karl, as well. May fond memories carry all of you through your time of grief.
Loretta Wunch Brandon
Statesboro, Ga.
December 5, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a great guy!
frank klemm
December 5, 2012
Our deepest sympathy. The family of
William E. Walker
December 5, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
December 4, 2012
In memory of one who brought comforted to so many. May the family know the beauty of this GIANT he was a God send to many. 'Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Continue the legacy set Mr. G. David Burton
Gwendolyn Cooley
December 4, 2012
To the family of Dave Burton,
Please accept our sympathy in the passing of your Dad.
"FAREWELL MY BROTHER"
BOB - LINDA DURST
December 3, 2012
To the Family of Dave Burton,
Dave was a friend of our family. We appreciated his kindness and friendship throughout the years. He was a great person helping us through our family grieving and will be sorely missed.
Dennis & Joan Burns
December 3, 2012
we were fortunate to spend family time with the burtons over the years. two memories of dave jump into my mind: one is seeing him playing basketball outside with the boys, all a generation younger than he was- the competition was fierce and big dave held his own and more; the second is more recent and took place on the 4th of july: he was setting off fireworks on manchester beach and employed the same drive as he raced from rocket to rocket in the midst of the explosions- we were afraid he'd blow up!! RIP to an outstanding competitor
December 3, 2012
The Valley of Erie Scottish Rite honors the life of Illustrious G. David Burton and extends our love and sympathy to the Burton family. "Spes mea in Deo est" (my hope is in God).
Richard B. Elberfeld, Jr. Secretary
December 3, 2012
Dear Karen, Mark, Julia and Jonathan,
So very sorry for your loss. Brian had always told me what a fun and hospitable man your father was. God Bless.
Mary Lynne Reimold
December 3, 2012
My condolences to all of Dave's family and friends. He was a strong man who put up a noble fight. I only wish I had not missed the chance to tell him how much I appreciate his kindness and friendship he gave to my father over many, many years. I'm sure Dave is looking down and knows it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, Dave, for all you have done.
Nicole Norton
December 3, 2012
To the family of G. David Burton
I'm proud to say i sat in lodge with Dave
many years; His warm welcomes and kind words will always be remembered; Dave was a great friend a great guy, and a great masonic brother; He will be sadly missed; Until we meet again Dave, May God have you in his holy keeping.your Friend and Masonic Brother Frank P. Ferraro
Frank Ferraro
December 2, 2012
Dear Burton Family: I would like to extend my sincere regrets at the passing of such a wonderful man. I've known him for years and always found him to be fair and reasonable in all of our dealings. He will be missed.
John Copple
December 2, 2012
My prayers go out to all, will keep your dad in my prayers, he always had a hello for me when I would see him across the street such a beautiful person.
Gloria (Jacoboski) Kilpatrick
December 2, 2012
Dear Barbara and Dave's children;
We knew Dave for over 50 years while living in Erie and admired he and his family for the wonderful service he provided to the Erie community and area.
We were members of First Covenant and Loretta worked in the church office there for several years. He was very professional when we worked together on funerals and he was a good listener.
It is a great loss to us and Erie. We extend to all of you our deepest sympathy.
Don and Loretta McLaughlin
December 2, 2012
Dear Karen, Peter and family,
My deepest sympathy to you at this sad time in your lives.
I have known Dave for over 60 yrs and always enjoyed his positive attitude and wonderful sense of humor.
Even in the past few years when he was going through all of the treatments, he seemed to be at peace, and never lost his love of people and life.
My prayers are with you all,
Becky Forster Stuart, FL
Rebecca Forster
December 2, 2012
Dear Barb: David was always positive, upbeat and unique. We so enjoyed our times spent with the two of you. He called you his treasure. Our deepest sympathy to you and the family.
Pat and Chet Chrzanowski
December 2, 2012
I would like to send my prayers to the Burton family... Mr Burton was a great man," A Perfect Specimen" as he would say. He will be greatly missed!
Loree Ingraham
December 2, 2012
Karen, Peter, Jeff, and Skip,
My heartfelt sympathy to you in the passing of your dad. He was a such a special person! He and I grew up in the same neighborhood and he will be remembered by all those still living there and nearby. I remember him as one of the stars on the high school swim team, a talent which stayed with him into later life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family. May he rest in peace.
Phyllis Nielsen
December 2, 2012
Larry & Marge Haglin send condolences.
December 2, 2012
I'll miss Daves sense of humor, he could always make me laugh, even when he was beating me in squash. He was a good friend that will greatly be missed.
Stephen Wallace
December 2, 2012
Our condolences to the Burton Family - we all lost a true gentleman and a man of the community.
Clarence & Sandy Kearney
December 2, 2012
There's a reason the list of Dave's close friends is so extensive.Known to many of us as the Phantom, the fun stories he left with us to remember are countless. We will miss such a caring friend. Godspeed.
Mike Dunlavey and Desiree'
December 2, 2012
darryl makepeace
December 2, 2012
Condolences to the Burton family on David's passing. Erie has lost a true leader and philanthropist. Those of us in the masonic community will miss him.
Paul Tate
December 2, 2012
Dave's friendly, outgoing personality and sense of humor will be missed by his neighbors in Marathon. Pat and Dick Rowley
December 2, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Kerness family.
Betsy Trabold
December 2, 2012
Dear Pete and Family: I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I pray that you and all of your family will find comfort in your time of grief through the many happy memories you had with your father. You are in my thoughts at this difficult time. God Bless you, Sue DiStefano
December 2, 2012
What a great guy and we always enjoyed seeing him every few years in Erie..
Our sympathy to his family
Helen & Bill Conner
December 2, 2012
Mr. Burton was a wonderful man, and a great friend to my parents. He has helped so many people through emotional family loss. He will truly me missed.
Darcy Matson
December 2, 2012
Peter, I was so sorry to hear of your fathers death. He was such a caring man.
What a wonderful legacy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Diane Parker-Baughman
December 2, 2012
My late father, Dr. Will Wallace, and Dave were friends. I had the pleasure of knowing Dave through Dad and as a former employee of the Erie Times. My brother, Steve, and Dave also played squash together on occasion. We all enjoyed our encounters with him. He could always make you laugh. He'll definitely be missed by many. Our condolences.
Debbie Wallace Morton
December 2, 2012
Blessings to the Burton family. Rest in peace, David.
maureen jeffreys
December 2, 2012
Dave will truly be missed. He was such a friendly person; always had a smile on his face and a kind word. It will not be the same not seeing him at Burton's or Masonic functions.
Bruce and Lorie Miller
December 2, 2012
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