Judge C. Robert “Bob” Burner, 81, of Warsaw, died at 3:50 p.m. July 20, 2011, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
He was born Sept. 1, 1929, in Connersville, to Charles A. and Irene Mustin Burner. On May 6, 1961, in Warsaw, he was united in marriage to Sheila K. LaGarde, who survives in Warsaw.
He was a Warsaw resident since 1959. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Japan, and was honorably discharged as a Tech 5 in 1947. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1956 and was a graduate from Indiana University School of Law in 1959 receiving a juris doctorate. After moving to Warsaw in 1959, he practiced law for the firm of Snodgrass and Burner and, beginning in 1964, he served as a Warsaw City Court judge. In 1976, he was among the first group of county court judges and served as Kosciusko County court judge until 1979.
In 1979, he was appointed Superior Court 1 judge where he served until his retirement in 1996. Following retirement he served as senior judge for the counties of Kosciusko, Marshall and Wabash. During his tenure Burner was instrumental in the development of the Area Plan Commission for Kosciusko County. Also, his work in establishing juvenile rehabilitation programs was widely recognized.
He was a longtime member of the Warsaw Aero Modelers and was actively involved in the Warsaw Little League as a coach and board member for 20 years. In addition, he was a member of Pierceton Masonic Lodge 377, Fort Wayne Valley Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine Temple, Fort Wayne, Kosciusko County Shrine Club, where he was a member of the Mini-Bike Patrol, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126, Warsaw, past president of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Indiana State Bar Association and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Warsaw.
He received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 1996 from then Governor Evan Bayh. The award is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the state or governor.
Also surviving are two sons, Kurt Burner, New Haven, and Kevin (and spouse Rebecca) Burner, Champaign, Ill.; three daughters: Kristi (and spouse Todd) Medert, Fort Wayne; Kathy Burner, Auburn; Karin Burner, Warsaw; 10 grandchildren; and two sisters, Quelda (and spouse Ray) Meek, Glen Allen, Miss., and Sharon (and spouse John), Hagerstown. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Leo. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Warsaw, with the Revs. Corinne Hodges and Brian Grantz officiating. Burial will be in St. Anne’s Columbarium. Military rites will be rendered by the American Legion Post 49, VFW Post 1126 and the ARNG Honor Guards.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a Masonic Memorial Service at 8 p.m. conducted by Pierceton Masonic Lodge 377.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge off arrangements.
***** Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital For Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FLA, 33607; St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 424 W. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196.
