Jack was born outside of Allerton to Floatus and Mary (Floyd) Burton on January 31, 1930 and was the ninth of ten children.
Jack graduated from Homer High School in 1948. He was a star softball and basketball athlete and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
He married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Lee Lewis, on November 5, 1949. She preceded him in death on May 27, 1970. Together they had four children that survive; Jeff (Lee) Burton, Little Elm, TX, Lori (Garry) Rushing, Homer, Jerry (April) Burton, South Bend, IN, and Stan (Susan) Burton, Champaign.
He married Mary Jane (McElyea) Peters on October 3, 1971. She survives. This union brought another daughter into the family, Crystal Jane Peters.
Jack was a life member of the Homer American Legion Post 290, a member of S.A.L. Squadron 290, a member of the Homer Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Horseshoe Club of Danville. He also served on the Homer Town Board and Homer Fire Department.
Jack loved participating in and watching sports and that love was passed on to his children. He was an avid Fighting Illini and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He served as the Commissioner of the Homer Youth Baseball League and coached the Homer American Legion Post 290 baseball team for several years.
Jack was a member of the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 and served during the Korean War. He retired from Chanute Air Force Base where he was the supervisor of the hydraulics shop for a number of years.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Millard Burton, Bess Sigmon, Mayo Warters, Jewel Berry, Doyle Burton, Eula Brown, Rose Kizer, Ruth Walters and Maxine Umbarger. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Crystal Peters Hudson and grandson Anthony Burton.
He is survived by eleven grandchildren; Ginger (Brian) Laws, Jason (Tiffany) Rushing, Carly (Scott) Sallay, Lindsay Burton, Josh (Adrienne) Hudson, Jared (Kierra) Burton, Paul Burton, Madison Burton, Stephanie Burton, Veronica Burton, and Nicolette Burton. He is also survived by eleven great grandchildren, son-in-law Glenn Hudson, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday April 1, 2022 at Freese Funeral Home 302 E. Grand Ave. St. Joseph. Rev. C.W.Greer and Rev. Heju Nam will officiate. Burial will be in G.A.R. Cemetery, Homer. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M.-- 3:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations can be made to the Homer American Legion Post 290 or the Homer American Legion Auxiliary Unit 290.
Freese FH 3/27/2022
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