Jack L. Burnfield
Jack L. Burnfield, of Washington, passed away March 12, 2021, at 3:44 p.m, in the home of his daughter, Loria, where he received care while fighting pancreatic cancer.
He was born February 4, 1933, in Washington, a son of the late Arthur Ewing Burnfield and Ethel Edna Stickle Burnfield. He was 88.
Jack was a 1950 graduate of Washington High School and was a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
On November 7, 1953, Jack married Virginia Irene Hendershot of Scenery Hill, who passed away January 10, 1993. The couple enjoyed 43 years of marriage together.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, he faithfully served from December 1, 1952 until he received an honorable discharge November 30, 1956. Most of his service had Jack and his young bride residing in Wichita, Kans. at the McConnel Air Force Base. In addition to his military duties, Jack was the first baseman for the McJets baseball squad.
An avid sports fan, Jack cherished attending all sports played by his children and grandchildren, no matter the distance. He coached in the PONY Baseball League for better than 20 years.
Jack and his son, Bruce, traveled around the country making their annual Minor League Baseball trips. Over 23 years, and some 30,000 miles of car travel, they witnessed baseball games played in 138 different minor league stadiums, as well as several Major League parks. On top of that, they attended nearly every Washington Wild Thing home game over 17 seasons.
Jack retired after 28 years from Washington Steel August 1, 1995. He was once quoted in an Observer-Reporter article about the plant closing – saying, “It was the best place to work in Washington County, maybe the United States”. He was a staunch member of The United Steelworkers of America Local 7139/7139A where he served on the Grievance Committee and was also the Recording Secretary.
After retirement, Jack was President of Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, Chapter 15-25.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #22, American Legion Post 175, Pulaski Club and Polish Club, all of Washington.
Surviving are two sons, Ricky Burnfield (late, Debbie) of Cape Coral, Fla., and Bruce Burnfield of Washington; two daughters, Diane Ward (Dane) of Canonsburg and Loria Whipkey (late, Randy) of Washington; grandchildren, Ron Todd (Jill), Derrick Burnfield (Jamie), Erin Ward Prettiman (Jeremy), Kayla Ward, Lindsay Whipkey O’Brien (Nick) and Stacy Whipkey Sanzo (Nate); and several nieces and nephews.
On March 6, 2021, Jack gave away his granddaughter, Stacy, in a small intimate ceremony at home.
His great-grandchildren, who knew him as Pappy Jack, include Tristan, Freyja and Willow O’Brien; the impending arrival of Riley Prettiman; Brooke and Brycen Burnfield.
Deceased, in addition to his parents and wife, are two sisters, Ruth Burnfield and Peggy Burnfield Behanna Kaminski. Also missing a son-in-law, Randy Whipkey; and grandchild, Nathan Burnfield.
The Burnfield family wishes to thank employees of Concordia Hospice: Kelly, Brandon, Nicole, Becky and Joyce, for their professional and generous care.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, the hour of a funeral service, in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Avenue, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Supervisor/Director, Susan Falvo Warco, Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post # 175 and the United States Air Force.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Concordia Hospice of Washington. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.