Merwyn B. Burton

Sept. 13, 1923-July 4, 2011

BARTLEY, Nebraska -- Merwyn B. Burton, 87, died Monday, July 4, 2011, at Cambridge Manor in Cambridge, Nebraska.

He was born Sept. 13, 1923, on the family farm near Bartley in Red Willow County, Nebraska to Owen D. and Margaret (Mecham) Burton. Merwyn attended country school and later graduated from Bartley High School in 1941. He attended McCook College for a year.

He served his country in the U.S. Army in World War II, seeing duty in the Pacific Theatre. Upon his return from service Merwyn attended McCook College again.

On June 12, 1946, he was united in marriage to Norma Bamesberger. The couple celebrated their 65th anniversary this last June. Merwyn and Norma lived on the family farm.

Merwyn's sister, Elaine, was instrumental in the Burton's receiving an award for a farm that has been in the family for more than 100 years.

Merwyn was active in the community. He served on the Bartley Co-Op Board, the Bartley School Board as past president, and ESU president. he was a member of the Bartley Christian Church and the William Wight American Legion Post of Bartley for mroe than 60 years.

After a serious illness and recovery, Merwyn went to work for the McConville Insurance Agency for eight years. He loved to travel to the mountains of Colorado, but enjoyed the trips to St. Louis, Missouri to see his children and grandchildren.

He was musically talented. He could play about any instrument, but enjoyed the harmonica and the guitar the most. He had an excellent singing voice. He liked to hunt and fish, tell stories, and play cards. He was always looking for a good game of pitch or more recently pinochle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Margaret Elaine Bryan.

Merwyn is survived by his wife, Norma of Bartley; daughter, Paula and husband, Steve Bommarito; two sons, Clark of St. Louis and Rex of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Funeral services are on Saturday, July 9, 2011, 10 a.m., at the Christian Church in Bartley with Mike Searcey officiating. Interment is in Bartley Cemetery.

Visitation is today until 7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge with family present Friday to greet friends from 6:30-9 p.m.

Memorials may be left in Merwyn's name at the Lockenour-Jones Mortuary to the Disable American Veterans.

Friends may leave condolences online at lockenour.com.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.