Michael Burnham

Michael Willard Burnham was a dutiful, loving and fair man. Mike was an independent thinker who embraced knowledge and strong family traditions. Throughout his life, he consistently showed his dedication to people, not just through the profession he chose, but the life he chose to lead.

The 1940s were a very important decade in our nation’s past. The epic battles of World War II were fresh in the memories of millions around the globe as people tried to rebuild their lives and move on. It was the era of big bands and the birth of television, back before anyone had ever heard of rock and roll. Mike entered this world on September 2, 1943, in Lebanon, Tennessee, to proud parents Sharron and Jean Burnham. His mother was just returning from a visit with his father who was serving our country in WWII. She had to stop in Tennessee because Mike decided to make his entrance into the world. Mike and his little sister, Maggie, grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Like most boys his age, Mike could be found taking adventurous exploits through the neighborhood and having a scrape or two with mischief. On one occasion, he and a friend were throwing sticks onto the ice covered Grand River. When retrieving one, Mike fell through the ice. His friend quickly extended a larger branch to him and pulled him out. It made the front page of the Grand Rapids Press. It was obvious from a young age that Mike was a bright boy. He enjoyed learning and was an exceptional student. This love for learning would stay with him throughout his life. Mike attended the area schools and graduated from Creston High School in 1961. He went to the National College of Chiropractic and aced his medical board exam at the age of 21. He only practiced for a couple of months.

The Vietnam Era was on the horizon and many young men were being drafted to serve. Mike volunteered his draft in the Army following in his father’s footsteps. He was proud to do his patriotic duty serving in Korea in the 23rd Infantry in the DMZ. Being a quick learner, Mike became proficient at Tae Kwon Do while in the military. Mike’s sister kept in touch with him while he served overseas and in one letter she sent a picture of her friend, Kathryn Anne Palmer. Although they had never met or spoken, Mike laminated the picture and carried it in his wallet. Once home from the service, Mike met the young lady in the picture. The young couple became inseparable and their love grew by leaps and bounds. Mike and Kathy were married on January 10, 1969. Friends who knew the young couple said they were “two peas in a pod.” Besides being husband and wife, they were also best friends, colleagues and companions truly sharing their lives together. Although Mike now had the real thing, he kept that picture of Kathy in his wallet until his last day. The newlyweds were eager to start their own family and soon welcomed two sons, Jeffrey Willard and Gregory Willard, into their family. It was no secret that Mike was an excellent father. He strove everyday to provide the best for his family. He instilled in his sons a strong sense of family, which his father had inspired in him.

Mike worked hard to provide for his family. After the military, Mike ventured into the brokerage business but the market was not thriving at that time, so he turned his attentions to his father’s grocery business, where he had worked while growing up. Mike took great pride in the family store and was honored to work with his father. His father owned the operated the Cutlerville Shop Rite and by working together the store prospered. Mike bought the store 1974. In 1984, they were able to expand the business to include a new grocery market called Shop Rite in Standale. The stores were an important part of life for Mike’s family. His wife, Kathy, worked in the store as head cashier until the children were born, but returned after they were older. Mike’s sons also worked in the store at different times in their lives. It was a hard for Mike to let go of the family business (SWB Foods) when he decided to retire in 1999.

Mike’s thirst for knowledge caused him to attend Davenport College. He also earned a merit scholarship to attend Cooley Law School. He was naturally brilliant and he didn’t just take classes to learn business, but to reaffirm what he already knew. Mike had a love for history and this enticed him to study law and military history. He was always on top of current events and he liked to convey his knowledge when talking with people. Because of his vast knowledge, he could speak to anyone on about any topic, but he never came across as being conceited or bigheaded. He didn’t use big flowery words, but spoke in simple practical terms. Even after retiring from the store, Mike was considering going to medical school. He was a true scholar.

Mike was also strong in his beliefs about the importance of family. The stores were never open on Sunday for that was a day for family. Mike loved Kathy’s cooking and on Sundays they would indulge in a wonderful brunch and dinner prepared by Kathy. Mike also loved to play cards, especially bridge, and he was assured to have a foursome by teaching his sons how to play. He also put his knowledge to good use when something needed to be fixed around the house. He could analyze the problem and go about putting it in working order. While his family was still young, Mike took them on outings that he knew they would enjoy, like Cedar Point. It was the smiles and joy on his sons’ faces that brought him happiness. He also joined Greenridge (Egypt Valley Country Club) so that Kathy could golf. He learned to enjoy the things that Kathy did, like pets. Mike was Past Commander of his American Legion Post, a life member of VFW and a member of Mensa.

Of all the wonderful things in Mike’s life, spending time with his family towered above the rest. He never missed a chance to tease Kathy and get her fired up. He honored his father by giving his two sons the same middle name as his father. He knew that true joy and happiness came from being surrounded by family and recently becoming a grandfather.

Michael Willard Burnham passed away very unexpectedly on Sunday, January 4, 2004. His parents, Sharron and Jean Burnham, preceded him in death. Mike is survived by those he was devoted to: his wife, Kathryn Anne (Palmer); his sons: Jeffrey Willard Burnham and Gregory Willard Burnham; granddaughter Kaitlynn Burnham; sister, Maggie and Greg Cox; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joyce and Dave Moss, Judy and Don Nash, Art and Keasha Palmer, Mike Palmer and Laura; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mike will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1025 3 Mile Road NE. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mike’s family on Wednesday, January 7, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. For those who wish, memorial contributions made to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. You may read Mike’s life story and share a memory by visiting www.lifestorynet.com.

Mike was a loving man that brightened and enriched the lives of his loved ones every day. He will be greatly missed.