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Burton George Near, 91
Burton George Near, 91, with his children by his side, went to be with his Lord on Aug. 24, 2017, after complications from pneumonia.
Burt was born on Aug. 14, 1926, in Shelby, Mich., to Christian and Neomi Near, where he was raised on the family farm. Burt left school at 12 years old to run the farm, allowing his father to concentrate on the family tractor sales and canning factories in Shelby. As a result, Burt always loved farming.
On Nov. 1, 1945, he married Vivene C. Vannett. They moved to Southern California in 1953 where they raised their three children. Burt’s working career there consisted of Auto Mechanic and Service Manager at various Chevy Dealerships.
In 1970, the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Burt worked in maintenance at the Coeur d’Alene School District. His children remember him as being a very talented individual who could make or build anything, in addition to being a caring father. He was loved by the staff and residents of Park Place where he spent the last seven years of his life.
Burt was preceded in death by Vivene, his wife of 65 years. He is survived by his three children, Vanna Weatherhead (Don), Kathy Curran (John) and Rodney Burton Near (Linda). He is also survived by seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, in addition to two nieces.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.