04/14/2007
Burdette DeZwarte was born on April 15, 1928, in rural Knoxville to Arthur Michael
DeZwarte and Gertrude (Jones) DeZwarte. He was raised in the Knoxville area and
graduated from Knoxville High School.
On Dec. 13, 1947, he married Evelyn Arlene
Amos at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Burdette farmed his entire life; additionally
he worked off the farm for the Natural Gas Pipeline for a few years and for Maytag
for eight years.
Burdette enjoyed all aspects of farming, from planting to fixing
machinery; harvesting and everything in between. He liked nature, especially mushroom
hunting, gardening, fishing and purple martins.
He also enjoyed Nascar races, playing
cards and family cookouts. Burdette was well-known for his ability to witch water
and he had helped many people locate water for wells through the years. He also
kept a journal of the weather and the daily happenings of life. He and Evelyn loved
animals and always had several pets.
Above all else, Burdette loved his family and
the time they spent together. He passed away on April 14, 2007, at his home at the
age of 78.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lorene Acklin; a brother,
Kenneth DeZwarte and his wife, Evelyn on Jan. 13, 2007.
Survivors include his four children, Ronald of Hamilton and Rodney, Tanya Dethrow and Kenton all of Knoxville;
12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and his brother, Carroll DeZwarte of Knoxville
and many other family members and friends.
A memorial service was held on April
17 at Living Word Fellowship Church with Pastor Doug Brady officiating. Burdette
and Evelyn were interred together at Greenwood Cemetery in a private family ceremony.
Memorials may be made to the Marion County Humane Society.