Jaclyn Louise (Lewis) Burton, 91, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at Russell Regional Hospital.
Jaclyn was born July 9, 1929, at her parent’s home in Hominy, Oklahoma, the daughter of Harold M. and Juanita S. (Winters) Lewis. Jaclyn’s family moved from Oklahoma to Madison, Kansas in her early years. Her parents bought a jewelry store where she enjoyed working. The Lewis family bought a Russell, Kansas Jewelry store and moved there in 1945. After graduating from Russell High School in 1947, she attended two years at Ft. Hays State College where she became interested in drawing and painting.
Jaclyn was united in marriage to Donald H. Burton on August 29, 1949, in Russell. This union was blessed with a son Hal. They made their home in Russell for a few years before moving to Beloit, Kansas in 1955. Then in 1959 they moved to Great Bend, Kansas. She began actively painting oils and water colors with local artist. In the mid 1960’s, she began the first of many trips to art school in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. She enthusiastically persuaded family and friends to take at the trips to Cloudcroft Art School. Jaclyn’s relatives that made the Cloudcroft pilgrimage included her sister, Dolores Fitzgerald Brandt, her father, Harold, and niece Peggy Fitzgerald Campbell, and long time friend, Mary Lois Gross. In later years, she enjoyed attending workshops and exhibits of The Palco Art Club.
Jaclyn’s surviving family include her husband of 71 years, Donald of the home; son, Hal Burton of Russell, Kansas; brother, Roger Lewis of Wichita, Kansas; six nieces, one nephew, and her beloved Cairnpoo Terrier, Bella.
Jaclyn was preceded in death by her parents, sister Dolores Fitzgerald Brandt, niece, Peggy Fitzgerald Campbell, and Aunt Edith Winters.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 P.M., Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Deines Cultural Center in Russell. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial has been established with Palco Art Club.
Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.