Francis Dean McBurney, 93, Altoona, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday night at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Robert and Bertha (Kelley) McBurney. He formerly married Eleanor Lytle on May 24, 1940. He then married Ruth L. (Endress) Cornelius on Dec. 4, 1964, and she passed away Dec. 29, 2003, ending a 39-year marital union.
Surviving are four daughters: Joy Foreman and husband, Fred, of Altoona, Carol Fleisher and husband, Bob, of La Porte, Ind., Mary Ellen Shaw of Manassas, Va., and Becky Dowdell and husband, Dick, of Duncansville; two stepchildren: Lee Cornelius and wife, Joy, of Tipp City, Ohio, and Ellen Marr and husband, Bill, of Altoona; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: William, Donald "Buzz" and Kenneth; and his first wife, Eleanor, on Oct. 18, 2010.
Dean was a 1937 graduate of Altoona High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, serving with Center Headquarters Company from July 1944 until November 1945 and attaining the rank of technician 5th grade. He retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad, Altoona, in 1981 and then was employed at Broad Avenue Pharmacy from 1982 until 2005.
Dean was a member of Juniata Grace Brethren Church, Altoona, and attended Grace Bible Church, Hollidaysburg. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Friends will be received from 9 until the 10 a.m. memorial service with military flag honors Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at Grace Bible Church, Hollidaysburg, Pastors Lou Hileman and James Foreman, the deceased's grandson, officiating. Private inurnment will follow at Spring Hope Cemetery, Martinsburg.
The family prefers that memorial contributions be given to Grace Bible Church Memorial Fund, 164 Laurel Lane, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
Arrangements are by John C. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg.
