Thomas C. Burton Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard and Olive (Robbins) Burton welcomed their baby boy, Thomas Charles Burton, to this world on February 5, 1955 in Watseka, IL. Tom went home to be with his Lord on October 14, 2020. Tom inherited from his father an instinct for farming that ran through his blood. Before he could even walk, Tom would ride between his dad’s feet on the tractor. That love of farming stayed with Tom for his entire life. Upon graduating from Sheldon High School in 1973, Tom went to college for one year but his love of harvest on a crisp, fall day called him back home. He then entered into a career of farming with his father and brother in their family business, Burton Family Farms. Tom went on to farm in Missouri before returning to Sheldon to farm with his brother and later with McTaggart Family Farms. Only upon becoming ill did Tom leave the field. Tom met the love of his life, Ellen, ten years to the day prior to his death. They were married in Indianapolis on December 1, 2017. Though their time together was not nearly long enough, they found in one another the great loves of their lives and they cherished every moment of that time. She survives. Along with his beloved wife, Tom is survived by two sons, Aaron (Whitney) of Grayson, KY, Ryan (Savannah) of Watseka, IL; three step-daughters, Shaunestte Terrell of Indianapolis, IN, Alisha (Chris McKibben) Terrell of Kokomo, IN, and Ashlee (Dylan) Melling of Anderson, IN; one step-son Shane Terrell of West Lafayette, IN. Tom is also survived by his loving mother, Olive, his sisters Roberta Renville of Kankakee, IL and Ronna (Bud) Pope of Greenwood, IN, and his brother Terry (Debbie) of Sheldon, IL. Tom is also survived by his nine grandchildren. Tom’s grandkids were the light of his life. His eyes shone when any of their names were mentioned. Grandpa Tom will be very missed by Hadlee and Knox Burton, Olivia and Bryson Burton, Molly, Gunnar, and Finn Muller, Gracie McKibben, and Sophia Melling. Tom is preceded in death by his father, Dick, and his brother-in-law, Ron Renville. A man of few words, Tom still enjoyed being Lawn Chair Supervisor at family gatherings. While Tom was not a robust conversationalist, he would pipe in every so often with a perfectly timed, biting retort that would send the room into laughter. Most of Tom’s younger years revolved around his farm, his boys, and his show steers. Always keeping Dad on his toes, Aaron and Ryan provided Tom with many heart-racing moments. From Ryan driving his dirt bike straight into a hole (and Tom, not an active runner, chasing after him in his cowboy boots) to Aaron going flying out of a go-kart at high speed, there were few dull moments in their lives. Not one to have his slumber disturbed, to Aaron’s amazement, Tom once slept through a tornado. Tom came into Ellen’s children’s lives after they were adults. Regardless, he stepped up in admirable way and was always there for each of them. He was a loving and supportive husband to Ellen. The depth of our loss is unbounded and we will miss him every day. A graveside service will be on Thursday October 22nd, 2020 at 2:00pm, with visitation starting an hour prior, at Sheldon Cemetery. A celebration of Tom’s life will follow immediately after the service at Sheldon Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Uplifted Care Hospice, who took such good care of Tom in his final days.

Thomas C. Burton

February 5, 1955 - October 14, 2020