Rev. Albert C. Burton

The Reverend Albert C. Burton of Rock Hall, Maryland died on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at his home. He was 71. Born in Glen Arm, Maryland on April 29, 1933, he was the son of the late, George Washington and Mary Elizabeth Dedder Burton. Rev. Burton was a graduate of Towson High School class of 1951. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict in Germany. After an honorable discharge he returned to study at the University of Maryland College Park and graduated in 1959 with a B.A. Degree in Theology. That same year he married his childhood sweetheart, Helen E. Simms. Rev. Burton received his local preacher’s license in 1959. He attended the Iliff School of Theology of the Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado in 1961. He served as pastor in Shepherdstown, WVa and later in the Baltimore area. Rev. Burton then took Doctoral courses at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He served as Chaplin for Baltimore Area College Churches. In 1982 Reverend Burton joined the Peninsula Delaware Conference and served as pastor with the Rock Hall United Methodist Charge until 1988 when he took a pastor position with Union United Methodist Church in Bear, Delaware. He retired back to Rock Hall, Maryland in June of 1995. During his retirement, Rev. Burton served as a pastor with Calvary United Methodist Church in Marydel, Maryland. He was an avid songwriter, poet, playwright, and short story teller. He co-wrote the drama play for the 1970 General Conference “saddlebags to satellites” which was performed in Washington D.C. Constitution Hall in June of 1971. He was also the person who first suggested the name Broncos for Denver’s Professional Football team as reported in the Baltimore Sun. Rev. Burton received numerous theological accolades. He loved people, particularly the watermen, of Rock Hall, MD. Rev. Burton was a former Rotarian and had been Grand Marshall in the Rock Hall 4th of July Parade. He was a true follower of Christ. In addition to his wife he, is survived by a brother, William H. Burton of Forest Hills, MD; a sister, Helen Louise Burton Pearce of Jarrettsville, MD; nieces and nephews, Diana Kiebler, Bryan Pearce Jr., Marybeth Blom, Juanita Breidenbaugh, Leslie Jean, Wayne Kiebler, Diane LeMaster, Gary Kiebler Jr., Gary Kiebler Sr., and Becky Kiebler and other great nieces and nephews. Reverend Burton was predeceased by two sons, Brant Burton in 1985 and Bradley Burton in 1988. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Rock Hall United Methodist Church. Relatives and friends may call on Friday, February 4, 2005 between the hours of 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday one hour prior to the service at Rock Hall United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Rock Hall Vol. Fire Dept., c/o Frostie Gladu, P.O. Box 13, Rock Hall, Maryland 21661. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Rock Hall, Maryland.