Earl Burnham

Earl Norman Burnham, 90, of Tucson, Arizona and formerly of Carmichaels, Pa., passed on to his eternal life on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at the Carondelet Hospice of Saint Mary's Hospital, Tucson. He was born November 6, 1916 in Moberly, Missouri and raised by his late mother, Gertrude (Tuggle) Burnham. Earl's father, Martin Luther Burnham, died when Earl was a youngster. He was one of nine children. Earl began his career early on working for several construction companies across the country. Earl settled in western Pennsylvania where he met his wife of 65 years, Margaret (Peg) Permilia Ross of Carmichaels. They were married on November 21, 1942. Earl worked most of his life for various steel companies located in Crucible, Pa., Bluefield, W. Va., Fredericktown, Pa. and Pittsburgh, Pa. He worked primarily as foreman in coal preparation plants. Later in life, he and Peg operated "The Dairy Bar" in Carmichaels where they enjoyed the town's people. After selling their business, they moved to Tucson, Arizona to retire. Earl was an active member of his community. As a member of the Greene Valley Presbyterian Church of Carmichaels, he served as both a deacon and an elder. He became a member of the Carmichaels and Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Company on May 21, 1948 and went onto the honorary role with the Fire Company on December 17, 1982. During his tenure as an active member of the Fire Company, Earl served as president. He was a member of Valley Lodge No. 459, F. & A. M., Masontown, Pa. and the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Coudersport, Pa. Surviving are his children and their loved ones, Ben Burnham of Tucson, Jeff Burnham and Deann Neugebauer of Tucson, Patricia (Burnham) Berkey and her husband, Scott of Boston, Massachusetts and twin granddaughters, Elizabeth and Allison Berkey of Boston. There will be no public viewing and a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date in Carmichaels, Pa. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to Carondelet Hospice, 1802 W. Saint Marys Rd., Tucson, AZ 85745.