The Reverend William F. Burd, 86, Winona Lake, went home to be with his Lord at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2013, at his residence. He was born Feb.8, 1927, to William Sr. and Esther Weismer Burd. On June 10, 1955, he married Geraldine “Gerri” Araminta. They were married for 50 years before she preceded him in death July 4, 2005. On Jan. 1, 2006, he married Judith Reneker, who survives in Winona Lake. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946-48 and 1951-52. He graduated in 1956 from Whitworth College, Spokane, Wash., with a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy. In 1959 he received his master’s of divinity from Pittsburgh (Pa.) Theological Seminary and was ordained June 21, 1959. He served as a student assistant from 1956-59 at the First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, and then as the assistant pastor from 1959-61. He then moved and served as the pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, Mich., from 1961-70; and as the pastor at Wabash Presbyterian Church in Wabash from 1970-80. From January 1981 to February 1984, he served as the associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; and from February 1984 to September 1989 he was the pastor of the First Presbyterian of Aurora, Ill. He moved back to Indiana and served as the interim pastor for the First Presbyterian Church in Valparaiso from September 1989 to March 1990. From March 1990 to November 1991 he was the interim pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka, Minn. When he moved to Warsaw he was the interim pastor of the First Presbyterian Church denomination of Warsaw from January 1991 to June 1992. His service to the church throughout the years was in many capacities: as member, stated clerk, moderator and chairman. He was on the board of directors from 1966-70 at the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce; president of the Wabash Ministerial Association from 1975-77; and served as vice president of the Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce from 1978-79; and president from 1979-80. He had been a resident of Kosciusko County for the past 10 years, where from 2004-05 he helped bring the Warsaw First Presbyterian Church to become the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed attending the fellowship of Men Following Christ. He was a dedicated servant of the Lord, husband, father and grandfather. His presence and heart were larger than life and he will be deeply missed. He will be remembered for his warm, plentiful hugs, infectious smile and healing of relationships; and especially his sense of humor. Left behind to mourn are his wife, Judith Burd, Winona Lake; a son, James S. (and spouse Linda L.) Burd, Huntington; a daughter, Chayris I. Burd, Los Angeles, Calif.; three stepsons: Randy (and spouse Sherri) Reneker, Warsaw; Rob (and spouse Chris) Reneker, Leesburg; and Rick (and spouse Kim) Reneker, Fort Wayne; a step-daughter, Renee (and spouse Sepass) Hernandez, Leesburg; three grandchildren: Christie, Jonathan and Lilie Burd; nine stepgrandchildren: Travis (and spouse Megan) and Tyler (and spouse Tory) Reneker, Drake Spear, Nick Marsh, Trish, Adam, Katy, Megan and Ryan Reneker; three step-great-grandchildren: Zack, Jordan and Elijah Reneker; and his brother, Dick Burd, York, Pa. He also was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, Dave Burd. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Erik Ohman. A private graveside service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw with Military Rites conducted by active duty Honor Guard. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home of Warsaw. ***** Memorials to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
