Neil P. Burton, age 81, of Clintonville passed away Friday, April 8, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton.
Neil Phillip Burton was born on March 21, 1935 in the Town of Deer Creek, Outagamie County, to Melvin and Margaret (Bronold) Burton. After graduating from Bear Creek High School he entered the military. Neil served stateside in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. Following the service he attended UW Stevens Point for a year. He was united in marriage on August 30, 1958 to Patricia K. Schroeder at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Neil was a handyman and worked at various jobs in the Clintonville area over the years like FWD Corporation, was a carpenter with Doug Heiman Builders, sold Christmas trees for Arneson’s, and worked part-time as a custodian at Bear Creek school district. Neil and Pat ran the Clintonville Motel for some time in the 1960s. The couple co-owned and operated Ember’s Supper Club on Main St. in Clintonville from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. Neil’s memberships included St. Rose Catholic Church and the American Legion Post 63, both of Clintonville. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially liked going fishing; deer and turkey hunting; and the log cabin on Pine River. Neil loved spending time up north at “the logger” with family and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Pat; and four children, Erica (Kelly) Klaeser of Marion, Marcia (Rodney) Dennison of Bear Creek, Todd Burton of Clintonville, and Mark (Heather) Burton of Suamico. There are four grandchildren, Tiffany (Alex) Peterson, Brandon Dennison, Seanna Burton, and Sawyer Burton. There are three sisters, twins Ruth Shepherd of Clintonville and Rita Young of Shiocton, and Kathleen Happersett of Neenah. There are four brothers, Norman “Jim” Burton of Appleton, Russell (Vaugn) Burton of Appleton, Harold “Huck” (Bonnie) Burton of Hayward, and Roy (Marlene) Burton of Appleton. He is further survived by many other relatives and friends. Neil is preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Leslie; an infant sister, Beverly; two sisters-in-law, Ann Burton and Gretchen Burton; and three brothers-in-law, Bud Happersett, Richard Shepherd, and Delton Young.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 13th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Fr. John “Jack” Mullarkey will officiate and interment will be at a later date in the parish cemetery. Military Honors will be provided at church by members of the VFW Post 664, American Legion Post 63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, all of Clintonville. Friends may call on Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of mass at the church.
The family wishes to thank all the doctors and staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, especially the 2nd Floor ICU team, for the compassionate care and concern given to dad.