Topeka--Gilbert Austin "Cornbread" Burnett, Sr. 90. It is with broken hearts, loving memories, loyal dedication and caring love from family members, that we sadly announce the passing of Gilbert. Gilbert had fought dementia, macular degenerative eye disease, which caused him to become legally blind, and congestive heart failure, before passing away on March 29, 2017. Gilbert passed peacefully at his home in Topeka, with his family by his side. He just reached and celebrated his 90th birthday on March 23, 2017.
Gilbert graduated from the Melvern Schools. He served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War. He served as a Surgical Technician at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas and then at Camp Carson in Colorado. While in the service he collected over 5000 pints of blood. He was discharged at the rank of Sergeant. He worked and retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka. As a past time, he was a land lord, renting to many tenants over the years. He also built two houses on his own. While working at Goodyear, he also loved to farm the land, raise livestock and garden. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle to many. Gilbert will be dearly missed by many. He was the Best, his motto was "Hurry Up and Wait".
On July 27, 1957, Gilbert was married to Mary Bell Arb in Topeka.
Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife Mary on June 3, 2002; his parents, Trilby Jane (Bell) Burnett and William Albert Burnett; his sisters, Georgia Ann Miller, Donna Lee, Mildred and Chloette; his brothers, Kenneth Burnett, Sonny Burnett and George Albert; a brother-in-law, Clarence Lacey and a nephew, Jim Lacey.
Gilbert is survived by a sister, Mary Edna Lacey of Waverly; two brothers-in-law, Dean Miller of Topeka and Leo Arb of Scranton; a sister-in-law, Goldie Young of Texas; his children, Mary Lisa Burnett of Topeka, a son, Gilbert Burnett, Jr. of Topeka, a daughter, Kathy Sparks of Minnesota; a step-son, Richard Miller of Arizona; eleven grandchildren, William Austin Burnett, Janie Marie, Sheila Kay (Sam) Pence, Timmy (Marcie), Kristy Tomson, Gary Sparks, J.J. Brown, Austin Lee, Misty, Fred and Sonya; fifteen great-grandchildren, Anthony, Katy (Ross), Joey, Heidi, Heather, Sheri, Wyatt, Riley, Eden, Linsey, Logan, Brittany, Tanner, Maxwell and unborn baby Apollo; six great-great-grandchildren, Baby Clint, Sayra, Selenis, Luis, Keyara and Artiemecia; a host of nieces and nephews, Jack (Joyce) Lacey, John (Carolyn) Lacey, Joyce Lacey, Phyllis (Ronnie) Bitts, Sharon (Ralph) Shaffer, Linda (Gary) Johnson, Dawn (Ronnie) Bartlett, Leslie (Russ) Petty II, and Brad Miller.
Funeral services for Gilbert will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 5 at the Feltner Funeral Chapel in Lyndon. Burial will be in the Lyndon Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Great Lakes Hospice, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS. 66451