JOHN BURSEWICZ

John Bursewicz, 85 of Canton, Missouri died September 29, 2021 at Beth Haven Nursing Home in Hannibal, Missouri.

The son of Alexander Bursewicz and Mary Gyrylo Bursewicz Klema was born on December 21, 1935 in Jamestown, New York.

He was united in marriage to Lue Ella Sappenfield in December 20, 1958 at Chanute Air Force Base at Rantoul, Illinois.

John was a member of Bluff Springs United Methodist Church in rural Canton. He retired from Culver-Stockton College after 38 ½ years of teaching biology, botany, zoology, conservation, human anatomy and physiology.  He led many field trips to Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and Canada.  John was also a member of the Canton Kiwanis Club and served as a City of Canton Alderman and city tree inspector. He was a Master Naturalist and studied the Sandhill Crane Migration as well as planting trees on the Canton River Walk. He was also involved with the Lincoln School Restoration in Canton. He was very active in Boy Scouts serving as former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 174 in Canton, a merit badge counselor at summer camps and a commissioner. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow and a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. He enjoyed camping, fishing, canoeing, rock hunting, mushroom hunting and bird watching.

He is survived by his wife, Lue Ella Bursewicz of Canton, Mo.; two daughters, Susie (DeWayne) Wright of Urbana, Ill., and Ruth Davis of Canton, Mo.; and a granddaughter, Susan Alexandra Wright of Champagne, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Bursewicz.

Graveside memorial services were held October 3, 2021 at Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton, Missouri. Honorary Pallbearers: DeWayne Wright, Bill Dorris, Dr. Tom Wiltshire, Dean Webster, Charlie DeVerger, Sam Zumwalt, Dale Simmons and Dr. Mike Jones.

Memorials may be made to the Culver-Stockton Science Department or Canton Boy Scout Troop 174.