Ken Burton, 92, died at Creekside Assisted Inn on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014.

Frank was born in Ansted, West Virginia, on February 7, 1921, to Frank and Hester Burton. He was the youngest of five children. His sister Corene, fourteen years older than Ken, was his first grade teacher.

After high school, he joined the Navy and served in New Guinea during World War II. While on leave in Massachusetts, he met and married Claire St. Charles. They were married for 66 years before her death last February. After his time in the Navy, they lived in Massachusetts, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Florida before moving to Idaho 13 years ago. Before retiring to Florida, Ken worked as a dental technician, a supervisor in a manufacturing plant, and a retail manager. Golf and pool became his two favorite activities once he moved to Florida, a place he considered “Heaven on Earth.” He enjoyed volunteer work and an active group of friends there. In recent years, he enjoyed frequent trips to the casino in Worley to play the slots machines.

He is survived by his daughter Patricia; his son Wayne, and his wife Deb; his granddaughter Dawn Crabb, her husband Dale, and their children Patrick and Samantha; his grandson Wayne, his wife Kelly, and their son Reilly, all who reside in Hayden.

A memorial mass will be said for Ken at 11 a.m., St. Pius X Catholic Chapel in Coeur d’Alene, Saturday, February 1, 2014. A graveside service for Ken and Claire will be conducted in spring 2014 to inter their ashes at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. Please visit Ken’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.