Carl Travis Burton, 85, of Niles, died unexpectedly at 10 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at his home following a brief illness. His family is grateful for the compassionate and professional care provided by the first responders at SMCAS, Michigan State Police, Berrien County Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Volunteer Services Advocates.

He was born on Sept. 19, 1932, in Eddyville, Kentucky, to Evan J. and Bertha, B. (Smith) Burton. He graduated in 1950 from the former Kavanaugh High School in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky – a preparatory school for Annapolis and West Point – but continued to work on the family farm before joining the U.S. Navy. He served as an aviation electrician in Patrol Squadron 57 in the North Pacific, and was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. The next year, he came to Niles, and was employed at the former Buchanan plant of Clark Equipment for more than 22 years, retiring in 1983.

Carl was a member of the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church. He left the military service with continued interests in aircraft and photography, even bringing home with him his first camera. Those two interests naturally led to annual trips to attend the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (Wisconsin). But his greatest joy was his family.

On May 28, 1998, in Niles he married the former Mary Frances (Ingram) Young with whom he celebrated last year the 19th anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Burton; and by his children, Roseanne (& Bill) Clemans of Niles and Ray Travis Burton of South Bend, Indiana; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and by Frances’ children, Janice Kiper of Niles, Karen Waterhouse of Garland, Texas, Martha (& Thomas) Vicari of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and Rachel Hattenbach of Niles; 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Susan Lee Miller; and by Carl’s brothers, Douglas, Steve, and Charles.

The funeral service for Carl Burton will be at noon on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Darrel le Roux of the church officiating. Committal services will follow at Mission Hills, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Thursday, beginning at 11 a.m. Contributions in memory of Carl may be made to the Niles Adventist School, 110 North Fairview Avenue, Niles, Michigan 49120; nilesadventistschool.org. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.