Weldon L. Burden

Weldon L. Burden, 83, of Sawyer, passed away, Monday, February 11, 2013 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Private graveside services will be held with Military Rites conducted by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Military Rites Team, at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Autism Association or the Michigan Diabetes Association. Those wishing to sign Weldon’s Memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Weldon was born May 1, 1929 in Benton Harbor to Warren & Minnie (Kieser) Burden. He graduated from Stevensville High School in 1947, attended Benton Harbor Junior College, received his Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and his Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland. Weldon served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired with the rank of Major after twenty years of service. Weldon received several awards and medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross while flying 165 combat missions and logging 9800 hours of flight time. He also served as a test pilot for a variety of aircraft including the C-5A Galaxy. Weldon was active with Lest We Forget where he was able to show his love for the United States and his Patriotism. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, gardening and the South Shore Concert Band. Weldon is survived by his wife of sixty years-Maureen (Hinckley) Burden; his children-Robin Allen of St. Joseph, Rick (Rosanne) Burden of Stevensville, Chris Burden of Sawyer, Nicole (Richard) Greter of Portage, MI; three grandchildren-Zane (Amelia) Burden, Katharine & Emmaline Greter; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings-Glen Burden, Gertrude Steele, Velda Hucko & Lois Burden.