Jean A. Burton

Jean A. Burton, 73, of Benton Harbor, was called home to meet her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Friday, October 27, 2017 at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 3:00 P.M. Monday November 6, 2017 at St. Matthew’s Missionary Baptist Church, 2026 Highland Ave., Benton Harbor, with Pastor Eddie C. Wright officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 2:00 P.M. Monday at the Church.  Memorials may be made in Jean’s name to St. Matthew’s Missionary Baptist Church.  Those wishing to sign Jean’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Jean’s life began on November 2, 1943 in Hammond, Indiana when she was born to James Mardis and Greta Barnhill. She was raised by her step-mother Willie Mae Mardis.  Jean married the love of her life, Willie “Peter” Burton on January 1, 1962 in South Haven, MI.  Five children were born to this union.  Jean received her formal education through the Hammond Indiana Public School System.  She was employed at Bohn Aluminum in South Haven Michigan for 26 years.  After her retirement, she worked at Atlantic Automotive for five years and later at Walmart to keep herself busy.  Jean Burton was a woman of many talents and she loved creating flower arrangement and other crafts. She had a knack for decorating and shared her love for this by beautifiying areas of St Matthew’s.  When her Church had a need for cooling foods in the kitchen, Jean showed members how to make beautiful air freshener dolls and with her lead, this group of ladies raised enough money for the Church to purchase it’s first industrial size refrigerator.  Jean served on St. Matthew’s Nurses board then transferred her service to the Usher Board, later becoming president.  During her term, she made sure her ushers looked professional as they performed their duties of making everyone feel welcome.  Jean loved her Church dearly and was a faithful member attending as much as her health would allow; however nothing was comparable to the love she had for her family.  Jean leaves to cherish her memories: Sons: Woodrow “Teddy” (Melinda) Braswell, Willie “P.D.” Burton, Travis Burton, all of Benton Harbor and DeEdrelle Burton, Grand Rapids, MI; Daughters; Chana Burton and Ishanee Burton-Velox of Benton Harbor, Twin sister Jane Marie Willhite of Kalamazoo.  She leaves 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved dearly.    Jean was preceded in death by her husband Peter Burton, her parents James and Willie Mae Mardis and Greta Barnhill, and sisters Jewell Alexander and Lois Burks.