Marie Ann Burgess

Marie Ann Burgess, 65, Brownstown, entered her eternal rest at 12:15 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2013, at her residence after a two-year battle with cancer. She was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and a tireless community worker.
Born March 19, 1948, in Bedford, she was the daughter of William Glenn and Elizabeth Marie Wray Duncan. She married her husband, Dr. William E. Burgess, on Feb. 1, 1966, while attending Indiana University.
Marie was a 1965 graduate of Mitchell High School. She worked with her husband to begin his dental practice in Seymour while raising their four children. She was his dental assistant and office manager for many years.
She had a passion for serving her family, church, community and others in the world. She was an avid supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, following her daughter's diagnosis, and worked to raise funds for the treatment and cure. She was co-founder of Habitat for Humanity of Jackson County Inc. She was a charter member of LaSertoma and was honored with the Lifetime Service to Mankind Award in 2005 by Jackson County Sertoma Club. She also helped deliver Meals on Wheels for 20 years and served on its board.
Marie truly loved quilting, flowers, reading and antique collecting. She was a 4-H leader for more than 35 years, passing on her talents and influence to countless area youth. She founded the Leftovers 4-H Club in 1977 and was 4-H county clothing chairman for more than 20 years. She also was a member of the All Seasons Garden Club, Phi Beta Psi sorority, Small Town Quilters and owned Remember When Antiques in Seymour for several years.
As a member of Central Christian Church, Marie served as elder emeritus, world outreach and evangelism committee member, Sunday school teacher and high school youth leader. She and her husband were also active supporters for missions to Haiti and Honduras.
Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Bill; children, David W. (Melanie) Burgess, Debra M. (Jeff) Grant, Wesley R. (Bridget) Burgess and Todd C. (Tammy) Burgess; her mother; three sisters, Barbara (Randy) Powell, Pamela (Jerry) Freeman and Nancy Ryan; brother, William Doyle (Dianna) Duncan; and grandchildren, Tyler, Drew, Conner, Nathaniel, Jonathon and Christopher Burgess, and Adrianna, Ethan and Landon Hehman.
She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents, William and Vay Duncan, Doyle Wray, and Ralph and Fern Wray Mikels.
The Rev. Lewis Wright will conduct the funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday at Central Christian Church, Seymour. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Burkholder Funeral Chapel in Seymour and from 9 a.m. until time of service Friday at the church.
Memorials may be given to Jackson County 4-H Council Grand Champion Clothing Award, Habitat for Humanity of Jackson County Inc., Indiana Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Central Christian Church Haiti Missions through Burkholder Funeral Chapel.
Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.burkholderfuneralchapel.com.
Arrangements were handled by Burkholder Funeral Chapel, Seymour.