Ruth Priscilla Burton, 99, of Council Grove, KS, died on Thursday, July 4, 2013, at Council Grove Assisted Living.
She was born in (Zeandale) Manhattan, KS on April 9, 1914, to William Thomas and Viola (Montgomery) Lumb, the ninth of ten children. She graduated from Manhattan High School and attended Emporia State University, where she met Hugh Sanford Burton. They were married on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1937, at her parent’s home in Manhattan. Prior to their marriage she taught in country schools in Riley County.
Ruth was a member of the Parkerville Baptist Church and former member of the First Baptist Church of Alta Vista and the Kelso Church. She had been active in the Ladies Aid Society of those churches, where the family attended for many years. She belonged to the Minerva Club and was a long-time 4-H leader for the Parkerville Progress and Busy Workers 4-H Clubs, as well as a supporter of the Morris County 4-H Foundation. She was secretary-treasurer of the Burton Family Reunion for many years.
Ruth was a great cook and everyone enjoyed meals at the Burtons. Her faith in God and her prayers and concerns for her family were of utmost importance to her. She was the glue that held the family together.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Hugh Burton on August 3, 1999; daughter, Dorothy Elaine King; son-in-law, William R. Owings, Jr. and grandson, Brian Burton.
Ruth is survived by her children, Priscilla Chansky and husband Bill, of Olathe, KS, Gary Burton and wife Connie, of White City, KS, Larry Burton, of Alta Vista, KS, Linda Schneider and husband Tom, of Sarasota, FL, and William (Bill) Burton and wife Charlene, of Russell, KS; grandchildren, William R. Owings, III,(Rochelle) of Kansas City, MO, Kimberly King Tumey (Dale), of Traverse City, MI, Denise King Braun (Matthew), of Northville, MI, Terry Burton (LuAnn), of Clayton, NC, Ginger Burton Updegrave (Ken), of Raleigh, NC, Sandy Burton Bachura (Chris), of Alta Vista, KS, Laura Burton Stice (Howard) of Topeka, KS, Clay Burton (Erica), of Alta Vista, KS, Taylor Burton, of McPherson, KS, Rebecca Burton Kuehl (Robbie), of Hays, KS and Alan Burton, of Great Bend, KS; 21 great-grandchildren; and brother, Roy Lumb, of Garden City, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to Parkerville Baptist Church, Council Grove Care and Share or Morris County 4-H Foundation. They may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.