Glen Wesley Burgess, 90, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 22, 2007 at Evergreen Manor in Springfield, MI. He was born February 5, 1917 in Pavo, GA the son of Wesley Eugene Burgess and Vette V. (Cannon) Burgess. Glen had worked for 30 years as a product engineer for Clark Equipment Company and retired in 1981. In 1936 until 1943 Glen worked at H. Scowcroft Company in Benton Harbor as a General foreman; he worked for three years as a master mechanic in Lake Placid, FL then in 1946 formed his own business called Lake Placid Machine Works which was repair of automotive and heavy equipment. In 1950, in Benton Harbor he worked at Taylor Steel Fabricators as a general superintendent, then to Ross Carrier in 1952. With the acquisition of Ross by Clark Equipment in 1958, he became a Clark employee in 1958. Glen was involved with Straddle and Van Carrier design even after that part of the business was sold, he worked on product liability cases, been very involved with customers
such as Republic Steel, worked very closely with dealers in Pittsburg, Akron, Cleveland, Canton, and Youngstown, Ohio; Denver, CO; Birmingham, Alabama, etc. He married the former Mary E. Loughmiller on November 2, 1941 in Benton Harbor; however Mary preceded him in death March 1, 2003. Glen is survived by a son: Robert A. Burgess of Battle Creek, MI; his daughter: Susan Beth Burgess of Syracuse, NY; a granddaughter: Shayla Kay Burgess and a grandson: Zachary Robert Burgess; a brother: Roscoe Burgess of Lakeland, FL; and two sisters: Loretta Hill and Aretha Russell both of Lakeland, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife, his father in 1971, and his mother December 25, 1980. Glen grew up in Lakeland, Florida where he completed high school. He moved to St. Joseph, MI with his wife Mary in 1950. He moved to Battle Creek in 1958. He was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church where he was an elder and active in church administration for many years. He was a member and former Worshipful Master of the Bedford Masonic Lodge #207 F & AM, and the Lions Club where he served as President. While living in Lake Placid, Florida he was the mayor of the town. He formed the Chamber of Commerce in Lake Placid. Glen liked boating, fishing, woodworking and tinkering with anything mechanical. In 1955, he built a 34-foot sailboat that he enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan before moving to Battle Creek. In 1993, he completed construction of the family cabin which the family continues to enjoy to this day. He loved his family and his community and loved spending time at gatherings with family and friends. He also enjoyed the outdoors, walking, gardening and appreciating nature. Visitation will be held at the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service after 12 noon Friday (November 30, 2007) where the family will be present from 4-8 p.m. There will be a special Masonic Memorial Service in the funeral home chapel at 7 p.m. Friday. Memorial services commemorating the life of Glen Burgess will be 10 a.m. Saturday (December 1, 2007) in the Bachman Funeral Chapel with Chaplin Jane Globig, Chaplin of Evergreen Manor officiating. Burial of cremains will follow at Hicks Cemetery in Pennfield Twp. Memorial tributes may be made to Alzheimer's Diseases Association. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service.

Battle Creek Enquirer Sunday November 25, 2007 Page B2 col. 5