Don Burtnett

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Donley Uriah Burtnett (1892 - 1969) was the 5th child of George Washington Burtnett and Harriet Ann Coy. His siblings were William Clarence (1885 - 1963) , Ella (Arzelia) (1887 - 1934) , George Myron (1890 - 1967) , Abigail (? - June 2, 1958), Arlow Carey( ?) , and Orlen, who died in infancy.

George Washington Burtnett was born November 1858 in Allegheny County, Pa..  He married Harriet Ann Coy on February 27, 1884 at Yates Center, Kansas and died on April 23, 1939 at Piqua, Kansas. 

Donley Uriah was born on April 6, 1892 at Bushong, in Lyon County, Kansas. Don married Zella Dea Fronk on June 6, 1917, at Humboldt, Kansas.  His only child was Charlotte Eloise. They lived in Missouri, near Joplin,  for a short time.  Don was a talented mechanic, and had a promising job.  He suffered a serious leg injury while working, and before the days of workman's compensation and other 'safety net' programs, and injury on the job was not considered the employer's responsibility.   

The broken bone was not set properly and he was plagued by many complications; thus, he had a limp for the rest of his life and was limited in the kind of work he could do.  This run of bad fortune coincided with a downturn in the economy.  They never recovered financially, but lived rewarding lives, nonetheless.

Needing the support of their families, Don and Zella moved back to Iola and it was there that my mother, Charlotte Eloise Burtnett,  was born on June 21, 1918. 

Don was very active in the Masonic Lodge.  He held several other jobs including work for the state highway commission.  He also sold gravestones.

Don suffered from severe asthma all his life, and his heart weakened.  When he knew that he was dying, he  instructed Zella on what to do after he was gone -  stick to the same routine every day:  get up, do the chores, work in the garden, cook, visit with friends and family, and go to church.  They firmly believed they would meet again in heaven. 

Don died on March 7, 1969, and is buried in the Iola Cemetery in Iola, Kansas.  He was remembered as a charming, patient, loving man despite all the difficulties in his life.