My Dad and best friend forever, Manville Eugene (Gene) Burtin, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, KS. He was 94 years old. Dad went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to reunite with my mother and his wife of 72 years, Nadine, who passed away at Eureka Nursing Center in February of 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, two sons-in-law, and one grandson. He is survived by his three children; Carol Moore of Lake Ozark, Missouri, myself, Greg, and my wife, Irene, of Topeka, Kansas, and Brian and his wife Susan, of Andover, Kansas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Dad's family moved to Eureka in August of 1942 from their family farm near Long Lane, Missouri. His father was Joseph Victor Burtin, and his mother was Ollie Cora (Scott) Burtin. Eugene was the youngest of seven children, with four brothers and two sisters. His brothers were Ether, Cecil, Bertrum, and Clemith Burton. Yes, they spelled their last name differently, and nobody seems to know why. His sisters were Opha (Burtin) McConnell, and Veda (Burtin) Adams.

He graduated with the Eureka High School Class of 1944. It was hard for Dad to make the move to Eureka because he was already in love with Nadine Bradley, a girl that lived near Buffalo, Missouri. Eugene and Nadine met on a school bus when they were 15 years old and soon started dating. They attended high school together at Buffalo, Missouri during their freshman and sophomore years. After Dad's family moved to Kansas they wrote letters often and promised each other to be true. That was the beginning of a beautiful love that stood the test of time.

Dad was drafted into the US Army in 1945, and was shipped out to Okinawa after basic training at Camp Roberts, California. His troop ship was just one day away from port when WWII was called to an end. He was used in the U S Army's occupation troops to ensure the safety of local citizens. He sometimes worked in the mess hall as a cook, and one day was asked to prepare food for General Eisenhower as he arrived after a long trip. Dad was so proud to get to do that, and was asked by General Eisenhower to sit at his table. That was quite an honor for an Army Private!

When he came home from the Army, he couldn't wait to borrow his father's car and make a trip to Missouri to see Nadine. They quickly decided to elope, and after the marriage ceremony at Oswego KS, he took Mom back to her family's home in Missouri. Mom was working as a teacher and needed to finish the school semester. They promised each other to keep the marriage a secret, but after a few days Mom's sister, Phyllis, found the marriage license, and the secret was no more! In January of 1947, Dad went back to Missouri to see Nadine and was met by her ornery brothers. He was terrified that he would be thrown in the creek, and it was cold weather! Mom and Dad were shivereed in true Missouri style, and soon after they drove back to Kansas to begin their married life in Eureka.

Dad worked as an auto mechanic for most of his adult life. He started working for Paul Jones' Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth dealership near the Fall River bridge in Eureka around 1951 and stayed there until the dealership closed in 1957. Bush Motor Company in Eureka, was his next employer. He worked for Harold Bush until he opened Burtin Auto Service at 605 N Main Street in 1961. He employed Buck Hellman and Leo Milner during different times at his shop, but decided to close the business in 1965 when he was offered the Service Manager position at Eureka Motor Company. He left Eureka Motors in 1971 and bought the old auto garage building at the SW corner oft 3rd & Oak Street so he could open Burtin Auto Service once again. His customers must have loved him because the business did very well. Glen and Carma Wilson became close friends to Mom and Dad when they agreed to create a used car lot on the front driveway of the shop. They were wonderful business partners.

In 1962, Dad chartered Eureka's Boy Scout Troop 217. With the help of friends Leo Milner, Dutch Schwartz, and Albert Spain, they acted as role models and mentors for many young boys. They taught us how to work together as a patrol, to set up a campsite, to build a fire and cook over it, and so many other skills. At our dozens of campouts in the Flint Hills we were expected to do everything as a patrol, all by ourselves...even if we failed miserably! Sometimes we ate burnt food, or had water running through our tents during a rainstorm, but we learned those lessons! A few years later when my brother, Brian, was old enough for Scouting, Dad did it all over again. He became a Scoutmaster for the second time, and dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to Brian's troop just as he had for mine. Wow! Just wow!

Dad was always there for Mom, Carol, me, Brian, and every one of his friends. He earned his MAN card, and the respect of everyone that knew him. Jesus, please give him and Mom a hug for all of us.

Graveside services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Greenwood Cemetery at Eureka.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Congregational Church and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.