Burton Thompson Severance, the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Severance, was born January 21, 1873, at Dodge Center, Minnesota, and died at his Milton home on July 5, 1946, after a lingering illness.
On February 12, 1896, Burton Severance was married to Anna M. Osborn in Dodge Center and in this place the two made their home and raised their family until they moved to Milton in 1920.
Mr. Severance was a workman worthy of his hire. In his early years he engaged in farming in Minnesota and after coming to Milton was employed, until his health forced his retirement, by the Burdick Corporation in Milton.
Mr. Severance was a good neighbor and a valued friend. For nearly forty years he was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge whose members held him in high esteem.
Mr. Severance was a sincere Christian and a devoted churchman. He was baptized and received into the membership of the Dodge Center Seventh Day Baptist Church, which church he served faithfully as acting deacon and treasurer. After coming to Milton he transferred his church membership to the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church and has been a loyal member here, together with his wife, through the years.
Mr. Severance was a faithful and loving husband and father. It can be truly said that his whole life centered in his home and family.
Those close to him who survive are: his wife, four sons, Lyal B. Severance of Janesville, Irving and Graydon Severance of Milton, and Lt. Howard Severance, now on terminal leave from the U. S. Army; two daughters, Mrs. Lorna Howe and Mrs. Belva Fox of Milton; 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; two brothers, Walter Severance, Mt. Carroll, Illinois, and Frank B. Severance, Dodge Center, Minnesota; a half brother, Harry Sanford of California; and two half sisters, Mrs. Mabel Crandall, Hammond, Louisiana, and Mrs. Lela Coalwell, New Orleans, Louisiana. Rev. Rolland J. Severance preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Mr. Severance were held at the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church, Monday, July 8, at 2:00 p.m., the Rev. Elmo F. Randolph delivering the sermon. Pallbearers were: Guy Polan, Lou Loofboro, Lou Babcock, Archie Hurley, Clark Todd, Henry Ochs. Burial took place in Milton Lawns Memorial Park, Janesville, Wis.
