Harlan D. Burton

Harlan Dean Burton, 69, of Sedalia, passed away Saturday morning, February 18, 2023, at The Neighborhoods by TigerPlace in Columbia.

He was born May 2, 1953, in Sedalia, son of Garlan and Lena (Lewis) Burton.

On June 11, 1972, in Sedalia, he married Denise Todd.

After high school, Harlan attended trade school to learn carpentry. He learned the art of cabinet making from his dad and became very skilled at crafting things from wood.

Harlan served in the United States Navy for eleven years during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served aboard the USS R.K. Turner and USS Macdonough as a boiler tech, reaching the rank of BT2 E-5. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Harlan enjoyed coin collecting and photography. He will be remembered as a loving, strong, intelligent man.

Surviving are his wife, Denise, of the home; three children, Heather Kessing, of Sedalia, Aimee Burton, of Sedalia, and Wesley Burton (Samantha), of Green Ridge; nine grandchildren, Cheyenne, Ashley, Dustin, Savannah, Harley, Dillan, Dalton, Ariana and Ian; four great-grandchildren, Allison, Larry, Chase and Ivy; a brother, Randy Burton, of Alaska; and a sister, Sue Phillips, of Smithton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Rayden.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Katy Park Baptist Church, where the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

Honorary bearers will be Dustin Kessing, Dillan Kessing, Dalton Perry and Harley Burton.

Burial will be at a later date in Salem Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.