Age 81, Luray, Va.
Charles Leonard “Mudball” Burner, 81, of Luray, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Charles was born on September 13, 1941, in New Market and was the son of the late Charles Lee Burner and Anna Virginia Smith Burner.
Charles was a farmer in the beautiful Leaksville area of Page County. He graduated from Luray High School in 1960 and was a member of the 1958 championship football team.
On June 18, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Alleen Atwood Burner, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by a son, Allen L. Burner and wife Lori Pettit Burner; two daughters, Susan Good and Kathy Jo Burner; two sisters, Carolyn Burner Rothgeb of Luray, and Barbara Burner Phillips and husband Don of Stanardsville; a sister-in-law, Peggy Lowery Burner of Montross; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Burner Graham and husband Chris, Jennifer Burner Rothgeb and husband Jason, Eric Good and wife Beth, Kevin W. Good, Kaitlyn Burner Ankers and husband David, Jessica B. Wittich, and Daniel Burner and wife Hannah; three great-grandchildren, Kelly A. Graham, Pierce L. Rothgeb and Gavin L. Graham; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Bertha Ann Burner; a brother, Robert Lee Burner; two sisters, Margaret “Betty” Burner and Mary Ann Burner Waybright; and two brothers-in-law, John Waybright and Jerry Rothgeb.
Charles loved music and played the tenor saxophone in high school and in a jazz band on the weekends. He spoke frequently of playing at Big Meadows Lodge and you would often catch him humming throughout the day.
About a year after Charles and Mary married, they moved to Rockingham County where they were very active in the agriculture community. They started dairy farming when they went into partnership with Mr. Funkhouser of McGaheysville. When his father died in 1977, he bought the family farm and started building a dairy. About 18 months later, he was able to move the family back to Page County and started milking cows until he retired in September of 2022.
Charles believed in the importance of agriculture and passing that knowledge down to the next generation. He was a 4-H All-Star, a 4-H leader of the Livestock Club for many years, and became an honorary member of the Page County High School FFA because of his leadership. He served on the board of the Farm Service Agency for nine years, and won awards for Young Farmer of Rockingham County and crop yields.
Charles was highly respected by all that met him.
A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 17, on the family farm at 4314 Leaksville Rd., Luray, by Pastor John Thomas.
The family will receive friends any time at 862 Dairy Dr., Luray.
Memorial contributions may be made to Page County 4-H in his memory. Checks should be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation; in the memo line please write Page County 4-H in memory of Charles Burner. Contributions should be mailed to 215 W. Main St., Stanley, VA 22851.
Arrangements are being handled by The Bradley Funeral Home in Luray, Va.
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