Rupert ‘Burnie’ Burnham

Rupert “Burnie” Burnham, 89, of St. Marys, died at 7:10 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2015, in the emergency department of Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.

He was born October 19, 1925, in Plankinton, South Dakota, the son of Rupert and Lillian (Duerisch) Burnham, who both preceded him in death. On April 12, 1947, in Fairborn, he married the former Ann Elizabeth Darner, who preceded him in death on June 22, 2009.

He is survived by two daughters, Marcia (Dugan) Klosterman of Van Wert and Adele (Dennis) Walls of St. Marys; nine grandchildren, Melissa Sinning, Brian Klosterman, Julie Mearkle, Mark Klosterman, Megan Klosterman, Chad Klosterman, Ben Klosterman, Jennifer Coffey and Derrick Walls; 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Janice Bus of Panama City, Florida, and Ramona Alfieri of St. George, Utah.

Two siblings, Robert Burnham and Geri Blair, also preceded him in death.

Burnie graduated from Olive Branch High School in Donaldsville and was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World War II. He was a retired electrical contractor and the owner of Burnham Electric in Dayton. He was a member of the Polish Club of Dayton, Knights of Columbus in Dayton, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9289 and American Legion Post 323, both in St. Marys. He enjoyed boating, hunting, traveling, water skiing, and golfing.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, October 23, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys, with Father Barry Stechschulte officiating. Burial, will full military honors, will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery in St. Marys.

Calling hours are from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 22, at Miller Funeral Home in St. Marys.

Preferred memorials: Holy Rosary Building Fund or St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Chicago, Illinois, where Burnie’s nephew, Father Anthony Bus, serves as pastor.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.