Robert E. Burton

Robert E. Burton, 83, of Versailles passed away Saturday, October 16, 2010 at his home. He was born in the Hopewell community near Holton on September 1, 1927 the son of Elmer Percy and Alice Hart Burton. He was married to Loretta Wilson on August 7, 1949 and she survives. Other survivors include one son Ronald (Donna) Burton of Dover; granddaughter Michelle Bradley of Columbus, Ohio; 2 great-grandchildren; one brother Jerry (Odetta) Burton of Osgood. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William, and his sister Geneva Doyle. Mr. Burton was retired from the US Navy where he served from 1944 to 1968 taking part in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was also involved in the blockade of Cuba, the Bay of Pigs, and the Lebanon Crisis. His highest rank was that of Senior Chief Boilerman and he also worked in Civil Service for 25 years as a boilerman. Mr. Burton worked at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis and also at the Jefferson Proving Ground. He served on the USS Hammond Sport, Sarsfield, Kaskaskia, Chickaskia, Merrimack, Bowers, Glennon, and was on the USS Forrestal Wadliegh when they recovered astronaut Alan Shepherd in the Pacific Ocean after his Apollo flight. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Osgood, the Osgood Masonic Lodge, Osgood American Legion, Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite, Navy Fleet Reserve, and the Navy Memorial Association. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 20 at 11am at the First Baptist Church in Osgood with Rev. Don Buck officiating. Burial will be in the Hopewell Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5pm to 8pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10am until time of services Wednesday at the church. The Osgood Masonic Lodge will conduct services Tuesday at 8pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church in care of the funeral home.