Burnett, Eugene Francis – 1889-1957

BARBOUR, BISOM, BRIDGE, BURNETT, CUMMINGS, LEE, MILES, WOLF

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 8/24/2021 at 12:11:22

Eugene Burnett Dies Suddenly Sunday Morning
Eugene Francis Burnett, 67, longtime resident of this community, died suddenly Sunday morning, February 10th, as the result of a heart condition.
Mr. Burnett had been in failing health for the past few months, and in company with his brother John, had planned to make the trip to Rochester, Minn., Sunday for a general check-up in the clinic. Gene, the name by which everyone knew him, had been on duty at the Weirick Drug store in this city Friday, where he served as a pharmacist, and following work that day, had gone to the home of his brother for a brief visit. While not feeling well, he insisted on going to his own home that night, and when his condition became progressively worse Saturday, he moved to his brother’s home upon the advice of the attending physician. During the day, he was given oxygen on three different occasions in order to ease his breathing, and that night appeared to be resting better.
At 4:00 o’clock Sunday morning he again became worse, and after being given medication to make breathing easier, was again able to fall asleep. It wasn’t until 7:00 o’clock when the family was ready for breakfast that Mrs. John Burnett discovered he had passed away. She had gone to waken him (missing text in crease of paper).
Eugene Burnett was born in Adair, Iowa, July 11, 1889, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Burnett. He entered the Adair school system, and when the family moved to Colfax shortly afterward he attended the Colfax schools. As a young man, Mr. Burnett attended Highland Park School in Des Moines, here he received his degree in pharmacy and shortly afterward in partnership with Dr. H. A. Weirick, opened a drug store in Valeria. After a disastrous fire destroyed the Valeria store, Mr. Burnett moved to Clemons, Ia, where he purchased and operated another drug store. It was while in this city that World War I broke out, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army Sept. 18, 1917 at Marshalltown and left the United States for overseas duty in France August 9, 1918. He returned to this country following the conflict on May 28, 1919.
When he returned to Colfax he worked for a time in the M & M Drug store, and for the past 31 years has served as a pharmacist for the Weirick Drug, where during the years he made a host of friends, who not only relied upon him for his pharmaceutical knowledge but also ___.
Mr. Burnett never married, but lived with his parents in this city. Following their death, he continued to maintain the family home, residing there throughout the years until his untimely death Sunday morning.
Left to mourn his passing are a brother, John, a sister, Mrs. Harry (Helen) Barbour, both of Colfax and a sister, Mrs. Marie Bridge of Elkader, Iowa. Two nephews, Richard Miles of Orange Township, Ia., and Gary Miles, a serviceman stationed at Waco, Texas, along with five nieces, Karen Barbour of Colfax; Mrs. J. D. Lee of Durante, California, Mrs. Ruth Cummings and Mrs. Richard Wolf of Elkader, Iowa and Mrs. Loren Bisom of North Hollywood, Calif., also are grieved at his death.
Mr. Burnett was a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 389, A.F. & A.M., of this city, the American Legion, and of Za Ga Zig Shrine Temple of Des Moines.
Gifted with a keen sense of duty to his profession, Mr. Burnett made many a trip to the store after closing hours in order to fill a prescription that would help ease the suffering of an ill person, passing off the grateful thanks of an anxious customer with a “that’s all right”. His friends were countless, and his ability to discuss problems of the day and an intense interest in the various sports made him a target for moments of conversation with all. Truly a fine man, and admired by all for his dependability and years of service to his fellow man, he will be greatly missed by all who enjoyed the privilege of knowing him.
Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church in this city Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock, with Rev. W. L. Hawn, pastor of the church officiating. Masonic services were held at the church and a military service was performed at the graveside. Business houses of the city were closed out of respect to Mr. Burnett during the services Wednesday afternoon.
Music was furnished by Miss Mabel Kaldenberg with Mr. Frank B Evans, accompanist.
Bearers were Chas. Herbold, Russell Baker, Jack Williams, Jr., Earl Plummer, Geo. S. Weirick and D. E. Borts.
Those in charge of floral arrangements were Miss Dorothy Pigg, Mrs. Harold Frey, Mrs. Jack Williams, Jr., and Mrs. Geo. T. Weirick.
Burial was in the Colfax Cemetery beside his mother, the late Arminta Burnett.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Tribune; Thursday, February 14, 1957, page 1