Jerry and Joan

Dear Ralph and Beth,

 

I am sorry but Joan and I will not be able to join you both to celebrate your 50th with your family and friends.

 

After 50 years, you are indeed deserving of a major celebration, party, recognition and all the other words that go for such a model couple for any adult or youngster. As you know we go back together several years, Ralph. You were indeed the most dependable work mate I had in our careers. We worked together for close to 30 years and for the last 25 years in adjoining offices! Even though we become very frustrated with our challenges with EPA and why they could not see it our way, you maintained your "cool".

 

I always had GREAT respect for how well you and Beth were as parents and for the ability to set such high moral values. I remember you talking faithfully of your regular scheduled "Family" nights - I believe Mondays??? Now as Adults I am sure your children relish those times and many other times that I am not aware. I remember all the way from your visits to my house in Des Moines, attending one of Blair's Little League Baseball games in Ft. Wayne, three or four of your children's weddings, many company picnics and volleyball games with you and most of your children and all the way to your retirement party I believe at your house in Lyndhurst. We enjoyed ourselves the last time we visited with you at your beautiful retirement home outside of Afton, Wy. and to see that you lived up to your promise to get Beth back HOME but gosh it took you so long! Yes, many sweet memories.

 

The best to tou both, Ralph and Beth and may you have MANY more years of happy celebration.

 

Jerry and Joan Lucietta 

Frank & June

I think so often, Beth, of the time that we were doing a stake primary visit and went the wrong way and several hours later we got turned around and headed back to Cleveland. It was such a pleasure and blessing to be able to serve with you. Those are some of the "good old days" we had. I also remember when you would share your rasberries with me on my Birthday. I had some good ones today with my breakfast.

Maybe one day we will see you.

Love ya both, Frank and June

Cleanest Floors in Town

Hi all,

I lived with Uncle Ralph and Auntie Beth for a bit while I was running away
from the prospects of getting married. Shortly after I arrived in Cleveland,
I sat down to a scrumptious meal that Aunt Beth had oh-so lovingly prepared.
After a prayer over the food, Uncle Ralph took a juicy morsel of roast beef
off his plate and threw it on the floor.

Kinda weird, I'm thinking, but not too suprising given the fact that he's a
Burton like my own momma. I was polite and only raised my eyebrows a bit.

Eyebrows up a notch, and maybe a nervous cough to go with it, when he bent
over and loaded the meat back onto his fork. Then he put it into his mouth,
proudly proclaiming that his wife kept such a clean house he could eat off
the floor.

I don't remember if Aunt Beth was beaming proudly, rolling her eyes or
hiding her head.

Thank you, Aunt Beth, for ribbing me more over the prolonged phone calls
with Celeste and not so much over the red boxer shorts with glow-in-the-dark
lips all over them that Celeste sent as a gag. I really shouldn't have
opened the package containing undies like that in front of Wynn. And thanks
to you, too, Uncle Ralph for reminding me that life is full of simple
pleasures if you know where to look, even if it's in a bowl containing
fermenting tomato seeds or in a floral oil painting you got for "Only
$13.95!"

Happy Anniversary!

Kevn Lambson (via Claire, Ralph's sister)

Fort Wayne, Indiana

When I served as Bishop of the Fort Wayne, Ind, First Ward, in 1972, Ralph Burton was called to served as my First Counselor. Ralph was always a dear friend and a very very dedicated counselor in our Bishopric. It was a distinct pleasure to serve with him. Ralph is a man of faith and compassion, and was 110% supportive in our Bishopric. When he had committed to getting something done, one could depend on him to accomplish the task promptly. Ralph is a very caring and concerned individual and there is no pretense with him.

I remember so well Ralph bearing his testimony. There is no question that he loves the Lord, and the Gospel. He would speak with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. His testimony was from the heart, and he touched the hearts of those who heard him bear testimony. I am impressed with Ralph's stalwartness. I would always think of Ralph as the 'rock', immovable and solid.

Beth is a loving and dedicated wife and mother, and has set a great example for us all to follow. She is a most patient and loving individual. Both Ralph and Beth have been wonderful friends, to both Lorie and I, through the years. Though we have seen very little of each other since the early 1970's, we have stayed in touch and our friendship remains as true as ever.

There are 2 pictures attached. One of Ralph and Beth at the Fort Wayne Ward Luau in 1973 and another of a picnic with friends from the Ft. Wayne Ward on July 4th 1972, held at Pokagon State Park. The friends in the picture are the McCuans, the Schaafs, the Burtons and Topols.

We are ever grateful for the friendship that we share with the Burtons, and feel that this friendship will endure through eternity. With our love and best wishes to these dear friends,

—Jon and Lorie Topol