Pastor Robert E. Burton, 61, of Morrison, IL, died Thursday, September 28, 2017, at his home.
Bob was born September 17, 1956, in Ottawa, IL, to Eugene R. and Doris L. (Shulz) Burton. He was educated in the Harvard Grade Schools and was a 1974 graduate of Harvard High School in Harvard, IL. He received his Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, IL. He married Anita K. Johnson on July 26, 1980, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard. Bob was first employed by Burton Farm Supply in Harvard and later owned and operated it. He also was a Pioneer Seed Corn Representative. Most recently, he was ordained in the ELCA and pastored the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison since October 2006. Pastor Bob was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard and served on the church council, was a choir member, and taught Sunday School. He was an active volunteer in the Harvard Boys League Baseball and the Harvard Educational Recreational Softball League. He was a former member of the Harvard Jaycees. Pastor Bob was a member of Morrison Ministerial Council. In addition to spending time with family and friends, he enjoyed woodworking, assembling ship and car models, coin collecting, metal detecting, bowling, playing “corn hole” and card games, and was an avid Cubs and Packers fan. In his early years, he enjoyed playing Men’s League basketball.
Survivors include his wife, Anita; two daughters, Nicole (Bryan) Pierce of Harvard and Elizabeth (Jeremy) Newman of Carpentersville, IL; one son, Jacob (Kathryn Kremer) Burton of Crystal Lake, IL; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Faith, and Foster Pierce; Ashlynn Adams; Burton and Norah Newman and baby Newman due December 2017; one sister, Sherri (Jeff) Holmes of Monroe, WI; one brother, Dean (Jodi) Burton of Clinton, WI; seven brothers- and sisters-in-law; 29 nieces and nephews; 30 great-nieces and nephews; three great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Darrell, in infancy.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2017, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison, IL
VISITATION: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m,. Sunday, October 1, 2017, at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison, IL
ADDITIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 5, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Harvard, IL
ADDITIONAL VISITATION: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Harvard, IL
OFFICIATING BOTH SERVICES: Bishop Jeffrey Clements, Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA
INTERMENT: Mount Auburn Cemetery, Harvard, IL
A memorial has been established by the family.
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements