G. David Burton

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 coroneted a 33rd Degree Mason in 1988; Zem Zem Temple Shrine, and Royal Order of Jesters. He served on several Masonic committees, 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 Masonry 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, CT, 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.

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.