Kenneth Lee Burres
August 12, 1934 – September 5, 2022
Kenneth Lee Burres died Monday September 5, 2022 of heart failure, age 88. He was born August 12, 1934 in Topeka, Kansas to Floyd Allen Burres, printer, and Eva Nora Thompson, singer and co-owner of the printshop. Ken married Carla Anne Robison, scientist, on August 24, 1956, a 66-year blessed union. They moved to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington upon retirement in 2003 and became members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim, WA.
Ken attended Seaman High School in North Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. He attended Garrett Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Illinois, earning a BA of Divinity, and, through Northwestern University, an MA and PhD in New Testament, with minors in Old Testament and Classics. He served as a Methodist minister in Kansas, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. As recipient of the Dempster Graduate Fellowship, he studied one year at the Theological School of the University of Athens, Greece. Upon returning to the U.S., he was appointed as pastor of an African-American congregation in Gary, Indiana during the height of the Civil Rights movement, 1964-67. It was a life-changing and treasured experience for the young Burres family.
In 1967 Ken accepted a teaching position at Central Methodist College (now University) in Fayette, Missouri and taught a variety of Christian and world religion courses for 36 years until he retired in 2003. Ken was a member of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature.
Ken’s research in world religions led to many travels to Greece and the Middle East with a special interest in the Israel-Palestine conflict. In retirement, he captured his perspectives and expertise in the doctrine of the three Abrahamic religions on his website: JewsChristiansMuslims.com. Ken never stopped looking at the question of how to bring peace and to reach across the bounds of doctrine. To paraphrase his blogpost “Beyond the Boundaries”: Boundaries are made by man’s attempt to interpret the Spirit, whereas the Spirit encompasses every being in a circle of love. While we respect and seek to learn from other religious traditions, spirituality leads us to expand the social boundaries – which too often divide us – until the lines disappear and all persons are included in our universal circle of love.
Ken will be remembered for his sonorous bass singing voice and his joy of music uplifting many community and church choirs. His family fondly remembers his in-home piano performances as well.
He is survived by his wife, Carla Anne Burres and their three daughters, with their husbands & sons: Cara Burres-Jones and Scott Jones with son Nick Jones, Katrina Heinzen and Mark Heinzen with son Andrew Heinzen, and Heather Petry and Lance Petry with son Timothy Petry. Ken was preceded in death by his older brother Donald Burres, his father Floyd and his mother Eva.
Celebration of Life Services will be held October 8, 2022 at 2:00pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim, WA. Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel is preparing his remains and his ashes will be placed in Sequim View Cemetery in private.
In lieu of flowers, the Burres family suggests a donation to Central Methodist University. Online: givetocentral.org. Or mail checks to The Advancement Office, 411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248. Please mention in memo line of either format: Dr. Ken Burres Memorial Fund.
Funeral home in care of arrangements is Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel in Sequim, WA. Phone 360-683-5242. Comments may be left on Ken’s page at their web site.
Connie Lee Zentz
Connie Lee Zentz of Port Angeles died of respiratory failure at Crestwood Convalescent Center on Sept. 4, 2022.
She was 73.
Zentz was born May 21, 1949.
A memorial will held at a later date.
Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
Jeanette A. Donelson
Jeanette A. Donelson of Sequim died of age-related causes at her home on Sept. 11, 2022.
She was 82.
Donelson was born May 4, 1940.
A memorial is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Faith Baptist Church, 7652 Old Olympic Highway.
Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
Ashley Burke Smith
Ashley Burke Smith died unexpectedly, August 15, 2022, at her Kent home. She was born October 26th, 1988, in Cortez, Colorado, the daughter of Stephanie Burke Smith.
Ashley graduated from Auburn High School June 2007, having lettered in Choir, and very proud of her Letterman Jacket that she earned. She went on to complete the STARS Early Childhood Day Care WA State Certificate.
Ashley worked at multiple early childhood programs throughout her career. She was devoted to helping young children learn and grow. Her first practicum position was at Sunshine and Rainbow, in Forks , WA. She was passionate about working with young children and animals! She also had a wonderful 3 year work experience at Pape in Seattle. She enjoyed her work at Children’s Therapy Center until her death.
Ashley enjoyed participating in Special Olympics for many years. She had a passion for gardening, swimming, diamond art, jigsaw puzzles and crocheting. She enjoyed spending time with family, her fiancé and her friends; camping, traveling, incumbent bike-riding, care-taking dogs and cats, watching Pitbulls & Parolees, watching movies, listening to music and singing!
Ashley loved her family and friends as we did her. She was generous, supportive and kind with her time and resources! She made handmade gifts for special people in her life and donated her services to helping people and organizations. She has a giving and forgiving nature that is rare in this world. She was protective and stood up for others. She radiated joy and love. She was a tower of strength throughout her many challenges.
Ashley is survived by her mother, Stephanie B Smith, Kent, WA; her brother, Sheridan Q Smith-Weller and his dad Dennis Weller of Auburn, WA ; her grandmother, Irene S Smith and grandfather, Richard W Jenson of Sequim WA; great Aunts, great Uncles, Cousins and friends around the world. Her fiancé, Brian McDaniel, Kent, WA, whom she looked forward to marrying in June 2023 and their future together. Chosen family, Keman & Joshua Stevenson of Kent WA.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-5pm, Sunday, Sept 18, 2022 at the Auburn Masonic Temple, Auburn, WA.
Those who wish to remember Ashley in a special way, may donate a gift, in her memory to: Pitbulls & Parolees; Seattle Humane Society; or King county: Auburn/Kent Special Olympics.
A celebration of life will be held on Ashley’s 34th birthday from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at her grandparents home: Irene S Smith and Richard W Jenson, 780 Heath Road, Sequim.
