LISBON, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Donald D. Burton, 91, passed away peacefully at 1:15 p.m., Sunday, October 22, 2023 with his family by his side following a lengthy illness.

Don was born December 6, 1931 at the family home in Wayne Township; he was a son of the late Donald C. and Anna L. (Wargo) Burton.

A graduate of Lisbon David Anderson High School, Don was a steelworker at the Crucible Steel Mill in Midland, Pennsylvania and farmed his entire life on the family farm in Wayne Township.

He was also a member of the United States Army, serving as a Sergeant 1st Class-the second division with the 23rd Infantry regiment as a gunnery sergeant in the 81st Mortar Platoon, during the Korean War.

He was a life member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Summitville, Ohio, where he served as a former council member. 

Don was also a licensed Ohio Auctioneer and a former Wayne Township Trustee; was a member of the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America and he bred and owned Belgian draft horses for 33 years. He was also a member of Lisbon American Legion Post #275 and the Lisbon VFW Post #4111.

Don will be fondly remembered as a draft horse enthusiast and expert plowman, having won several local contests including Mesopotamia, Burton, Augusta and Winona. Many will remember him as the announcer at the Horse Pulls at the Columbiana County Fair for over 20 years, as well as other local pulls and as an exhibitor at the local fairs. He was a proud 4-H supporter of his granddaughters; was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed coon hunting and ice fishing. Don also enjoyed square dancing and listening to a good fiddle tune.

He is survived by his of wife of 67 years, Margaret M. (Yaney) Burton, whom he married on May 12, 1956 at St. John’s Catholic Church. Their marriage blessed them with two daughters, Kathleen A. Burton and Pamela K. (Kenneth) Baer; four sons, Harold Burton, George (Lisa) Burton, James H. (Tina) Burton and Thomas A. Burton and six grandchildren, Ashley (Kyle) Frishkorn, April Burton, Jessica Adams, Holly Baer, Alissa Baer and Sarah Baer.

In addition to his parents, Don was also preceded in death by his brother, Alfred (Joanne) Burton; his sisters, Martha Peters and Margaret (Bud) Nichols and by several nephews.

The family will receive family and friends from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday at the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home, Lisbon and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services Saturday, October 28, at the church.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Don’s wonderful life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 28, 2023 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 16017 Smith Road, Summitville, Ohio with the Rev. Father James Lang officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Lisbon Cemetery.

Friends may also share a memory and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald D. Burton, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Thursday, October 26 at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.