Claude Burnham Obituary (2022) – Milton, DE

Claude Lerch ‘Skip’ Burnham, Jr., 78
MILTON, Del. – Claude Lerch “Skip” Burnham, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on July 6, 2022, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
He was a graduate of Milton High School in 1962 and then served in the US Air Force.
After his military career, Skip worked a brief time as a surveyor for the State of Delaware. With his father and uncle, Skip was one of the proprietors of Milton Sausage and Scrapple Company, where he worked from 1967 until 2002, expanding the business into restaurants and focusing on mom and pop grocery markets in southern Delaware. He would occasionally drive the delivery truck himself, just so he could personally say hello to his patrons all over the region. Upon retirement from Milton Sausage and Scrapple, he became a realtor for Long & Foster, and ReMax.
Besides spending time with his wife and family, Skip was a passionate bass fisherman and competed in tournaments, earning awards and state records; he was proud to have been named Delaware’s Mr. Bass in 1995.
He was a member of the Milton Lions Club, Mt Zion UM Church and Past Master of the Endeavor Lodge #17 in Milton.
Skip was predeceased by his parents, Claude L., Sr. and Margaret Mackey; his sister, Charlotte; and his son, Jeffrey Claude.
He is survived by his wife, Fay; his brother, Gregg and wife Gail; his son, Mike and wife Karen; his daughter, Cindy and husband Brent; his daughter-in-law, Tammy; his sister-in-law, Kay; and his grandchildren, Sean, Mitchell, Sienna, Anthony, Liliana, Susie and Thomas; as well as many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held July 16, 2022 at Goshen United Methodist Church, 103 Mulberry St., Milton, at 11 am with a Celebration of Life service at 1 pm Interment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milton.
The family suggests contributions in Skip’s memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, both of which were helpful to the family on Skip’s journey.
Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton. Online condolence may be submitted to the family at: shortfuneralservices andcremation.com

Published by Delaware State News on Jul. 13, 2022.

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