Mearl J. Burnfin

Mearl Jasper Burnfin, 85, of Albany, GA, entered into eternal rest on Friday, December 09, 2016. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home. Dr. Todd Sullens will officiate. Interment will follow at Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Mr. Burnfin was born in Fristo, Missouri and grew up on the family farm in Holden, Missouri. He was a 1948 graduate of Latour High School in Latour, MO, one of only four graduating students. Upon graduation from High School, Mr. Burnfin was employed by J C. Nichols Company in Kansas City, MO. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the United States Marine Corps Honor Platoon 139, San Diego in 1952, Camp Lejeune, NC 1953 and the Albany Marine Corps Supply Center. He was a member of the original Marine Corps League in Albany. He was a past member of the Breakfast Optimist Club and was presented a plaque for being Exchangite of the year (1968-69). In his younger days, he volunteered at the Boys Club in Albany, Little League Baseball of Albany and was a member of the square dancing, Rafter Rockers Square Dance Club.

He was a member of Porterfield United Methodist Church and had resided in Albany, GA since 1953. He worked at Golden Glow and Pet Dairies in Albany, and in 1977 he was employed by Proctor and Gamble, retiring in 1995.

Mr. Burnfin was preceded in death by his parents Charles Burnfin and Opal Marie Phegley Burnfin, a brother, Johnnie Burnfin and a baby sister.

He married the love of his life, Ruby Lee Kaufman, and together they were blessed with four children, two daughters; Renee Fraser (Craig) of Dublin, GA, and Janice Post (Mike) Bay City, TX, two sons, Mearl J. Burnfin, Jr. of Creedmore, NC, and Stephen A. Burnfin (Sharon) of Lee County, GA.

Survivors also include his siblings Roy W. Burnfin, Warsaw, Missouri; Agnes Logan (Francis) Kansas City, MO; Thomas G. Burnfin, Holden, Missouri; Ronald K. Burnfin, Holden, Missouri, and Raymond C. Burnfin (Charlotte) of Fayette, GA, sister-in-law Earlene Garcia and her husband Sam of Albany, GA and many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is the proud Grandfather of eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. Mr. Burnfin had a tremendous love for his family and was most content spending time fishing and skiing with them on the Flint River and at Lake Walter F. George. He especially loved trips back to Missouri for family reunions and he enjoyed his quail hunting trips to Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make contributions to Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation
Lane, Albany, GA, 31707.