Burtner

Larry Arthur Burtner, 87, of Butler, passed away the morning of Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Canterbury Place, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.

Born June 14, 1937, in Butler, he was son of the late Arthur Roy and Margaret Elizabeth (Toots) Burtner.

Larry graduated in 1955 from Butler Area High School, where he was a member of DeMolay and played baseball. He served with the ROTC while a student at Carnegie Technical Institute (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, pitching for their 1958 championship softball team. He was also on the school’s rifle team, earning multiple awards for marksmanship.

Upon graduation with a degree in industrial management, Larry joined the U.S. Army, entering active duty as a first lieutenant in 1960, serving in the 99th Infantry Division. He was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Va., Fort Sill, Okla., and the U.S. Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, Ala. A fixed-wing aviator who earned an Army Aviation Badge, Larry was an airplane and helicopter pilot and flight instructor. He achieved the rank of captain and was honorably discharged from active duty in 1963. He then joined the U.S. 79th Army Reserve Command in 1964. He trained helicopter and airplane pilots and conducted survival training missions, attained the rank of major, then retired from the Reserve in 1974.

As a civilian pilot, Larry was a partner in B&B Aviation, located at the Butler Farm Show Airport, serving as a fixed-base operator. He trained private aircraft pilots and owned several airplanes.

Larry worked for ARMCO Steel for 27 years, advancing to hot mill superintendent, then retiring in 1997. Following retirement, he established Burtner and Associates, an independent industrial sales concern.

Larry gave of his time and talents as a member of the board of directors of the Butler County Airport Authority. He was a member of the Lauter-Faulkner Post 683 American Legion in Saxonburg and volunteered to give talks about his U.S. Army aviation experiences to students at Freeport Area Senior High School. He also served on the board of the Associated Artists of Butler County and was active at the Butler Art Center. He was a longtime supporter of Burtner House Restoration Society. He also helped coach Little League Baseball for his sons’ teams in Center Township.

Complementing Larry’s lifelong interest in flight, he was a watercolor artist, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, birding and nature. He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and Penguins. He was also an avid bridge player and bigfoot believer.

Larry was the devoted husband of Mary Ann (Heineman) Burtner for 64 years.

He was the loving father and grandfather of Lynn Burtner, her husband, Maris Mangulis, and their son, Armand (AJ); John Burtner, and his wife, Joanne (Whiteley) Burtner; Philip Burtner, his wife, Laura (Hill) Burtner, and their daughters, Emily and Anne; Wendy Burtner, with Paul Wegweiser, and Wendy’s son, Ted, also son of Edward Owens, and Matthew Burtner, and his son, Eli, and daughter, Mila, also children of Robin (Moser) Burtner.

He was the caring brother and uncle of Joanne (Burtner) Bennett and husband, Gay Bennet, and nieces, Kay, Lisa and Susan; also Elaine (Burtner) Usell and husband, Ray Usell, and nephews, Grant and Kent, and niece, Lori.

BURTNER — Friends and family of Larry Arthur Burtner, who died Tuesday, June 18, 2024, will be received from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2024, at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Larry to Burtner House Restoration Society, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Natrona Heights, PA 15065, or online at www.burtnerhouse.org.

All who knew Larry are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to his unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.