By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
9 Comments
  • Visitation

    Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021

    from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

    Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL.

  • Service

    Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021

    3:00 pm

    Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Robert James Burton, 58, of Albion, IL passed from this life to his next on Friday, December 10, 2021, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IN.

    He was born October 12, 1963, in Waterloo, Iowa to James and Judith (Turner) Burton. He married Michelle Kaye Woodward on March 2, 2002, and she survives.

    Rob faithfully served his country in the Marines for 4 years and the Army for 11. He served as a cannon crewmember and drove a Humvee in the Persian Gulf War. He was very proud of his military service and could often be heard saying the phrase “Semper Fi!” As faithful as he was to his country he was just as faithful a fan of Minnesota Vikings football. After few wins and many losses, he was as devoted as they come.

    He was a devoted member of Little Prairie Christian Church for 20 years. He was a hard worker and a gracious volunteer. He was always the first to lend a helping hand and always sought out ways he could volunteer, whether in the church or the community. He was a loving Dad and an even better Papa to his grandson. He would play on the floor for hours and never complain, only ever looking forward to the next time he could play with him.

    He is survived his parents Jim and Judy Burton of Waterloo, IA; wife Michelle Burton of Albion, IL; 3 daughters Rebecca Burton, Elizabeth (Anthony) McGarvey, and Emma Bailey all of Albion; grandson Jackson and one on the way; sister Brenda (Chris) Clukey of Columbia, MD; brother Rick (Shawn) Burton of Parma, OH; sister-in-law Trudy Woodward of Fairfield IL; In-Laws Daniel and Susan Woodward of Albion, IL and Brenda Swegman of Fairfield, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

    Rob was preceded in death by his grandparents Ray and Margorie Turner and Harold and Dorothy Burton; and special buddy Glenn Lankford.

    Visitation: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL.

    Funeral: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at 3:00 pm, at Little Prairie Christian Church, Albion, IL.

    Interment: Little Prairie Christian Church Cemetery, Albion, IL.

    Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

9 Condolences
 
  1. Brenda Swegman / December 12, 2021 at 11:31 am

    Beautiful memories of Rob, my “son”. I know that Glenn and you will be best buddies in heaven.

  2. Danny Lankford / December 12, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    The best friend anyone could ever have! I just couldn’t keep up with his desire to be doing something good for others, and his ability to share his Faith was inspiring.
    His style of Worship was “all in, anytime , anywhere”.
    We shared many late nights laughing and talking at Promise Keepers Gatherings for men, usually getting no sleep at all. Ballgames, concerts, men’s night out with Tom Rosche, Bluesfests, Camp Men’s Night, cooking soup on Stan Kimbrell’s firepit, repairing mowers, racing mowers….anything we did involved food. Soup, pizza, cheesecake, venison, sausage gravy.
    He was so kind to our Glenn, was his Buddy at Special Needs Camp. Love ya Brother! See you on the other side.

  3. Geri Goss / December 12, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    Dearest Michelle and Family,
    Our hearts are heavy with sorrow and condolences for your loss. Though we did not know Rob on a personal level, and only met you and your family on a fun trip to SanDiego, he was always spoken of with love, kindness and respect.
    Knowing his faith and obedience to the Lord must come as comfort and security that you will be together again in eternity. May God Bless you and keep your family’s in his loving, caring arms.
    In Calvary’s Tie, John and Geri Baumgart (Friends of your Dad and Sue).

  4. Patrick M. Scott / December 13, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    Dear Michelle and Family,
    I had the opportunity to work with Rob over the last year while he was at Crete Carrier. He was an outstanding driver and was our Indy terminal’s nominee for Crete Carrier Rookie of the Year. I was unaware of his service to our country and his community and family. Certainly a life well lived and to be cherished eternally. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Sincerely,

    Patrick Scott

  5. Steve Holland / December 13, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    Michelle…Rob. was a “friend”, and often referred to him as a “SON”. From him Premier Transportation Days.So very saddened. And my heart felt Prayers, and LOVE. From me and my Wife Jan. A terrible loss.
    But Heaven is now got a guardian of the weak, and needy, as he will do the same there as he did for us.

  6. Dave Shoulders / December 13, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Dear michelle and family So sorry for your loss. prayers for you and your family.
    I also had the opportunity to work with Rob the early years with Schneider. we would talk on the C.B. coming or gone. he was a great friend and when he left we still talked. we talked about his military career I was sad when I heard he was sick. he has his wings and his truck. Sincerely.
    Dave shoulders

  7. Tricia Cater / December 14, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    I miss Rob so much already. His enthusiasm for worshiping God was contagious. I loved having him on our worship but also “leading” from his pew. He served in so many ways and touched many lives. Many people have told me how Rob made them feel so welcome when they came to Little Prairie. He had a heart for people and a great sense of humor. I know he is with Jesus and enjoying worshiping in a whole new way. My prayers are with the family and with all at LPCC who will miss him so much!

  8. Dan and Deb Williams / December 15, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    Michelle and family
    Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for you and your girls. We are forever greatful that we had such an awesome day at the beach with Rob and your family. A picture of the four of you is displayed on our guestroom wall in a place of honor. Reserved only for those that we share a beach memory. Rest in peace Rob. I hope there is a big blue ocean waiting for you on the other side

  9. Danielle Lankford Kimbrell / December 15, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    I had NO idea what God had in store for Rob and I and our families as I sat across from him over twenty years ago at a parent/teacher conference at Little Prairie Preschool. He boiled over with enthusiasm and sincerity. I truly didn’t know what to think of him, but when I saw the crucifix hanging from a silver chain around his neck, I thought, “There’s hope!”. I could tell he loved Michelle and her girls. From that first encounter, my life would forever be better because Rob would become one of my dearest friends. As I walked the halls of LPCC the day of Rob’s passing, it hit me hard that there wasn’t a square inch of the place that didn’t bring back a Rob memory. He always, always helped me, and put up with me! Stan and I will cherish all the memories. I think about VBS, Oil Belt Camp, Jr. High winter 5th Quarters, KOZ, missions trips, CIY SuperStart, church meals and fundraisers. My list could go on and on. I will SO miss seeing him sitting behind Stan and I at Christmas Eve service, too. It won’t be the same around the “fall chowder firepit” without Rob. No matter how tired he was, he always found a way to pull energy out of somewhere for his family, friends and church. Rob’s appetite and stomach of steel were known far and wide along with his desire to make and drink coffee anytime! Stan and I have a final and precious memory with Rob. On October 31st, we were able to share one final meal together (until we gather together again around the wedding banquet table our Bridegroom has prepared for us), it was at El Cactus over Mexican gyros (Stan had gotten Rob hooked on them), anyway, Rob was all fired up about an outreach to veterans he had helped with the day before and another one of his passions, Jackson. He was crazy about that little boy! I so appreciate Rob’s service to our country and his love for his fellow veterans. Sometimes, I could get him to talk about how it had been in the Gulf. I will never, ever forget Rob’s heart for the underdog!

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