04/20/2007

Notification of Death - Hal Marcus "Marc" Burr

April 18, 2007

OFDA received word this morning that Hal Marcus "Marc" Burr died Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at home. Mr. Burr was a 4th Generation Funeral Director and Embalmer, a graduate of the former Cleveland Mortuary School in 1948. He worked at the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service from 1949 until he retired from active service in 1986, but continued as a consultant until 2001.

A veteran of World War II, Marc was a corporal in US Army. He received the Purple Heart and also the Bronze Star for personally leading his men across an open court while under heavy enemy fire to dislodge the enemy, and even after wounded, he directed his men to safety.

Marc was a Life member of the Disabled American Veterans; the American Legion, Post 167 in Chardon; and a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Legion, Post 6519 in Chardon. Mr. Burr has attended every Memorial Day Service, except for 1, since the end of WWI. He was Master of Ceremonies for over 35 years, stepping aside after the 2003 ceremony. Mr. Burr had served as Secretary, Vice-President and President of the Tri County Funeral Directors Association. In 1999, he was honored by OFDA, for his 50 years of service to families in the Chardon area.

When the family ran an ambulance service, Mr. Burr trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, and was co-founder of the former Geauga Ambulance Service.

Beside active sports, he also enjoyed fishing, both local and in Canada (especially the helicopter flight into Labrador to an isolated fishing camp with his son and grandsons in 2003); waterskiing, traveling by car to see Canadian friends in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Frances LaClare (Hoch) Burr; Daughter, Marcia L. (Kirk) Hopkins; Son: Marc H. (Nan) Burr; Granddaughter, Katie Hopkins; Grandsons, Marc F. "Burrly" and Andrew J. Burr; Sister, Elaine Dunbaugh and Brother, Dane (Maryetta) Burr. Cousins: Nancy Hanna Rhodes, Thomas Hanna, Ralph L. Hanna and William Hanna.

His parents, Hal Sterling and Maybelle (Nee: Hanna) Burr; Grandson, Brian Burr and Cousins: Richard Hanna and Gene Hanna Cutter are deceased.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 23 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, April 24, 1:00-3:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio. A service will be held Wednesday, April 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 South Hambden, Chardon.

Mr. Burr felt athletics were very important in building character and team work in young people, so he would be honored to have friends donate to the athletic complex at Chardon Schools through "Count on Me" c/o Chardon Extracurricular Resources Committee P.O. Box 798, Chardon, Ohio 44024.