Burton, Joe Alton

Joe Alton Burton - age: 81
(January 26, 1928 to September 17, 2009 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Joe Burton passed away in his home on September 17, 2009 after a long illness. He was surrounded by many family members at the time of his death.

Joe was born in Wannette, Oklahoma on January 26, 1928 and lived in Oklahoma for 12 years before moving with his family to San Diego, California. He later moved to the Rio Oso and Marysville area in California. He served in the United State Army and held a rank of staff sergeant and was a World War II veteran. He returned home from serving in Japan and met Harriet Shimmin in 1947. They were married in February, 1949 and then moved to Potter Valley to begin their life together.

Joe lived in Potter Valley for most of his life. He was a hard worker and provider for his family. He was a long-time farmer and cattle rancher and volunteered for the Potter Valley Fire Department, and served as chairman of both the Potter Valley Community Services and Potter Valley Community School District's Board. Joe was a member of the Potter Valley Grange and Methodist Church as well as the Mendocino County Farm Bureau, He was a servant to the Potter Valley Community in many ways and was well known for his work for the Potter Valley Fireman's events and annual Festival barbecues. Joe will be most remembered for calling on neighbors in need and helping in any way that he could. He truly "Loved his neighbor,"

Joe loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, barbecuing and traveling with his wife, Harriet and good friends. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. Joe never complained, even at the end of his life and was always more concerned about the comfort and well-being of others than himself.

Joe survived by : his loving wife of 60 years, Harriet Shimmin Burton, three children; Gladys Burton of Port Angeles, Washington, Carol Clark, of Ukiah, California, and Joe Donald Burton of Pratville, Alabama and his wife, Mindy Burton, two sisters; Cleo Antinori of Yuba City, California and Joyce Beilby of Rio Oso, California and her husband Donald Beilby, eight grandchildren, Lisa Mantchev of Port Angeles, Washington, Lori Hunt of Seattle, Washington, Adam Clark of Ukiah, California, Ben Clark and Amy Clark of Potter Valley, California, Amanda Burton of Redwood Valley, California, Addison and Mc Cabe Burton of Pratville, Alabama, Three great granddaughters; Amelie Matchev, daughter of Lisa and Angel Mantchev, Selena Clark-Quintero daughter of Amy Clark and Miguel Quintero and Lydia Clark, daughter of Ben Clark, and Amanda Archer, numerous nieces and nephews and several cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Nora Burton and brothers, Willard and Wendel Burton.

Graveside services will be held Thurs. September 24, 2009 at 10 am at the Potter Valley Cemetery, with a celebration of Joe's life immediately following at the Burton home in Ukiah.

Contributions may be made to the Potter Valley Fire Department, Phoenix Hospice and American Lung Association.