Bill Burnworth

Bill G. Burnworth of Kimmell passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 4:00 pm surrounded by his loving family at his home on Harper Lake. He was born on December 13, 1930 in Noble Township, Noble County and was the son of Melvin and Catherine (Buckles) Burnworth. Mr. Burnworth’s mother died in 1939 and in 1940 at the age of nine he went to live with his Aunt and Uncle Fred and Hazel (Buckles) Howard, who raised him. Bill graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1949. Bill began farming in 1941 weeding mint. His family moved to the home farm, in Washington Township, Noble County, in 1945 where he was a dairy and grain farmer. On March 1, 1952 he married Phyllis Jean Campbell at the home of Rev. Marion Shroyer in Columbia City, Indiana. From 1956 until 1982 they resided on the home farm and in 1982 they moved to their present home on Harper Lake. Bill loved his wife and family dearly and enjoyed being with all of them and a part of their lives. In 1979, Bill went into partnership with his daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Rick Zollars, buying a Ford Dealership in Kimmell. In 1980 they built a new Ford Dealership in Ligonier where Bill worked as a salesman until 1995 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He continued to work part time as his health permitted. Bill underwent aggressive chemo and radiation treatments from which he never fully recovered. Bill served on many boards and committees such as Noble County REMC for 33 years, and of these 33 years was Chairman for 27 years. He retired from the board 9 years ago. He also served on the Noble County SWCD board, West Noble FFA Ag Advisory Board, Washington Township Advisory Board, Washington Township 4-H Advisory Board, Precinct Committeeman, Election Board, Treasury of Crestview Building Corporation, Production Credit Association, Noble County Farm Bureau Board and was a member and served many offices of the Ormas Baptist Church. Bill also attended the Etna United Methodist Church Men’s Fellowship coffee. Bill enjoyed fishing and he and Phyllis enjoyed traveling numerous places in the United States and Europe. He is survived by his wife Phyllis of 61 years, his sons Dan (Patricia Lough), Doug (Janelle Western) both of Kimmell, David (Dawn Winterton) of Lake Norman, NC and daughter Debra (Rick) Zollars of Ligonier. Grandchildren include: Chad Burnworth of Seattle, WA, Ryan Burnworth of Las Vegas, NV, Anita Zollars, Kendallville, and Sarah (Eli) White of Channahon, IL, and Cole Burnworth, Lake Norman, NC. Step Grandchildren include: Nick Foster, Chicago, IL, Tony (Jennifer Moore) Foster, Ellicot City, MD, Chad (Angela Poppenfoose) Gebert, and Michelle (Rich) McNeil both of Kimmel, Laura (Mike) McGregor, Columbia City, Lauren Sward, Charlotte, NC and Rachel and Jordan Sward of Chicago, IL. Step Great Grandchildren include: Hudson, Lily, Amelia, Camden Foster, Carl Hartwell, Chloe and Cassandra Gebert, Lindsey, Ashleigh and Makenzie Hoskins, Jacob McGregor, and Kierra McNeil. Also surviving are his brother George Burnworth of Columbia City, IN, and two sisters, Luella (Shively) Ayers, Fort Wayne, and Mary Catherine (Larry) Cox of Holland Michigan. Mr. Burnworth was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lowell and Guy Burnworth, and infant sister Viola. A funeral service will be held in Mr. Burnworth’s honor on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 10 AM at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN 46767 with Pastor Dan Carlson officiating. Burial will be in Thorn Cemetery in Kimmell, IN. There will be a time of visitation on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 from 2-8 PM and one hour prior to the service at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN 46767. Memorial contributions may be directed to Noble County American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, Noble County Home Health and Hospice, 1836 Ida Red Road, Kendallville, IN 46755, or the Ormas Baptist Church.