Donald C Burnham

     Donald Curtis “Don-Burnie” Burnham, 71, of Black River Falls, formerly of Sparta, passed away Friday, April 26, 2019, at his home.

     He was born April 20, 1948, in Sparta, to Curtis J. and Phyllis E. (Fish) Burnham. Don went to grade school and high school in Sparta. In his early years, he worked various jobs including, Sparta Floral, Badger Mining, the Job Corps, Wisconsin Gas Company, from 1968 until retiring in 1999, the parks department, and driving school bus. Don loved driving bus and seeing all of the kids every day. He was a member of the Sparta Fire Department and then the Black River Falls Fire Department and Rescue as an EMT. In 1968, he married Bonnie L. Tucker; together they had three children. Don enjoyed his cabin in the woods and hunting; but, really cared about being in nature and sharing that time with family and friends.

    Survivors include his wife of nearly 51 years, Bonnie; children, Heather Winchell (Greg Wagner), Dawn (Jared) Smith, and Daniel Burnham (Ashley Huber); grandchildren, Zach Winchell, Riley Smith, Emily Burnham, Somer Langowski, and Isaiah Burnham; brothers, Randy (Rita) Burnham of San Jose, CA, and Ron (Donna) Burnham of Sparta; sister, Pam (Sam) Shumate of Fennimore, WI; many nieces and nephews; the Tucker family; his dog, Ginger; and many other relatives and friends.

     Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Burnham; and brother, Robert Burnham.

     Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2019, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, 106 W. Franklin St., Sparta. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sparta, at a later date. Family and friends are invited to call from 11 a.m. until the time of service, Friday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are respectfully preferred to Black River Falls Hospice or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals.

     Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

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