HURON – Earl E. Burnison, 91, of Huron, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the SunQuest Healthcare Center. 
His funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 25, at Riverview United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors by the Huron Veterans Council.  Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m., Monday, at the Kuhler Funeral Home with his family present from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a time of sharing at 7 p.m., Monday evening at the Kuhler Funeral Home. 
Earl Erwin Burnison was born October 29, 1925, in Alpena, the second son of Samuel Erwin Burnison and Agnes Margaret Schmidt Burnison. After his education in Alpena schools, he entered the Navy as a radioman. He was stationed on the USS Mount McKinley in the Philippines. On August 6, 1950, Earl married Verna Lorraine Westgard at Singsaas Lutheran Church in Astoria.
They settled in Alpena where Earl worked with his father in the implement business. Later he branched off to start Burnison Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Huron. As a businessman and entrepreneur, Earl was hardworking and creative. His business moved to four locations in Huron, expanding each time and employing more workers. He and Verna raised four children and built the first solar home in the area.
Earl was a charter member of the Riverview United Methodist Church, a member of the American Legion, the VFW, Lions Club, and Sons of Norway. He served as president of the South Dakota Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association. Although work was his passion, he found time to frequently hunt, collect antique farm equipment, and was always eager to have a float entry in any parade. When the grandkids would visit he often fashioned fishing poles out of bamboo sticks.
Earl and Verna traveled to several countries but found that the best place in the world was their own home and community.
Earl is survived by his children, Mona Farnsworth (Ken), of Duchesne, Ut., Doug (Cindy), of Huron, Margo Anderson (Bill), of Huron, and Becky Schroeder (John), of Gillette, Wyo.; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Rose Burnison, of Sioux Falls, and Helen Burnison, of Huron; and sister, Dorothy Berkley, Bloomington, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna; his parents; and his brothers, LeRoy and Cecil.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and hospice program for the care Earl received while living at SunQuest Village, StoneyBrook Suites and SunQuest Health Care Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Huron Senior Center, the Riverview United Methodist Church, or HRMC Hospice. 
Visit www.kuhlerfuneralhome.com
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