Burton, Clara Lichti (1910-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jan 27 p. 8

Birth date: 1910

text of obituary:

CLARA LICHTI BURTON

Clara Lichti Burton, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Lichti, passed away at the Mercy hospital, San Diego, Calif. on Dec. 27, 1954, at the age of 45 years.

She had lived in California all her life. She was born in Paso Robles where she spent her childhood until moving to Upland with her parents. Here she attended school and graduated from Chafffey College.

After her marriage to Vernon Burton she lived in Ontario and Pamona before moving to Encinitas four years ago. While living in Upland she became a member of the First Mennonite church. She was baptized by the late M. M. Horsch. She enjoyed her church life and the association with the young people of the church. When she moved to Encinitas she with her family attended the Lutheran church.

About eighteen months ago Clara became ill. Specialists made a diagnosis of a cancerous conditon in her throat There were times when she seemed to be improving, then again all hopes for a recovery were banished. "It is no secret what God can do," was her experience also. As the days wore by, her Lord and Savior gave strength to her body and peace to her soul. Patiently and with amazing courage she bore her suffering.

Intermittently she spent time in the hospital, then again she was in her home with her husband and children. her desire to spend Christmas with her family was granted her, and after being home for two days she was taken back to the hospital, completely satisfied and resigned to God's will. During the night she went to be with the Lord.

Besides her husband and parents, she is survived by one daughter, Virginia Mae, and one son William Robert, both of Encinitus [sic Encinitas]; three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Dowding and Mrs. Jean Barber of Ontario, Calif. and Mrs. Dorothy Fremming of Upland; and four brothers, Arthur, Albert and Menno Lichti, all of Upland, and Carl Lichti of Medford, Ore.

The body was brought to upland and funeral services were conducted at the Stone Funeral Home, Rev. Paul Goering officiating. The chapel was filled to capacity with sorrowing friends and neighbors who came to pay tribute to the departed. The profusion of flowers was also evidence of their love for her.