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Joan R. Burton, family matriarch

July 30, 2018

Joan R. Burton, 78, of Lewes passed away Friday, July 27, 2018, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. She was born June 6, 1940, in Lewes, daughter of the late William and Margaret (Dallas) Ritter.

Mrs. Burton was a Lewes native and lifelong resident who was involved in several local organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Burton opened and operated numerous family businesses: Long Neck Enterprises, John Burton Manor, William Ritter Manor, and Burton’s Edgewater Parks. She was the first president of the Degree of Pocahontas, River Council No. 25, a charitable organization. In 1998, she was the first great Pocahontas of the State of Delaware. She also served as an officer of the U.S. National Degree of Pocahontas.

Mrs. Burton loved to bake. She owned and operated her own bakery for several years in Long Neck. In her spare time, she enjoyed roller skating and dancing, winning many dance competitions. Above all, she loved her family and was the best mother and grandmother ever. Her grandchildren were the loves of her life. During her entire illness, she never complained once. Instead, she always placed the focus on her family. Mrs. Burton was the true matriarch of the family and always led by great example.

She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, John S. Burton Sr.; her son, John S. Burton Jr. and his wife Tammy of Lewes; her daughter, Sharon Drain and her fiancé Mike Hazzard of Lewes; her grandchildren: Stacey Pavlik and her husband Connor of Georgetown, Cherish Drain of Philadelphia, Pa., Samantha Moore and her husband Taylor of Millsboro, and John “JW” Burton and his fiancée Taylor Marks of Lewes; her great-grandchildren: Harrison Pavlik, Evelyn Pavlik, Wyatt Moore, and twins on the way; her sisters: Marie Savin of Milford, Ethel R. Lee of Harbeson, June Simpson and her husband Daniel of Harbeson, and Patricia Rust and her husband Larry of Seaford; and her brothers: Franklin Ritter and his wife Janet of Lewes, Irvin Ritter and his wife Eleanor of Milford, and Howard "Bud" Ritter and his wife Jacqui of Harbeson.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Burton was preceded in death by her siblings: Bert Ritter, Mary Lou Steele, and Janice Mosley.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 4, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow the services at the Ritter Family Cemetery, 20274 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Burton's name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Visit Mrs. Burton's Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.

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