Marco S. Burnette

Marco S. Burnette, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 4, 2023. He was born July 24, 1939, in Fort Gay, West Virginia to Frank and Addie Burnette.  A resident of Barberton since 1940, Marco graduated from Barberton High School where he was a stellar athlete in football, basketball, and track, earning him the “Athlete of the Year” award in 1957.  In 1961, Marco graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While at The University of Akron he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Men’s Honorary Pi Kappa Epsilon, and was a member of the Akron Zips football team as quarterback and defensive back receiving “Outstanding Sophomore,” “Outstanding Junior,” and “Outstanding Senior” awards. He also ran track for 3 years for the Zips. Marco was inducted into the Barberton Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Other inductions include the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame and The University of Akron Hall of Fame. Marco began his teaching career in 1961 at The Boys Village School in Smithville, where he was the Head football and basketball coach. He then taught from 1962 to 1963 in the Cuyahoga Falls district where he was the Head football, Head track, and Assistant basketball coach at Bolich Junior High. Marco returned to Barberton as a teacher and Assistant football and Head track coach at Barberton High School, in 1964; the same year he received a master’s degree from The Ohio State University. In 1972, Marco joined the Manchester Local School district where he later became the Superintendent in 1978; a position he would hold for an impressive 26 years before retiring in 2004. Among his many accomplishments, Marco received various awards including the Lifetime Educator Award by the Summit Educational Service Center; Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Administrator Award; Distinguished Alumnus Award; V.I.P Award – Nolley Elementary School; and was inducted into the Swede Olson/James R. France Athletic Hall of Fame. Marco also served on many boards including the Barberton Board of Education (1968-1971, President, 1970), Summit County Board of Mental Health Trustee (1971-1976); Charter member of Phi Delta Kappa Professional Education Organization; Junior Achievement Advisor; Barberton Rotary Club; Barberton Jaycees; Portage Lakes Kiwanis. Marco had a passion for playing golf and traveling the world with family and friends to over 30 countries (including England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Africa, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, Canada, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, and numerous parts of The United States). He was also an avid sports fan. On Friday nights, you would find Marco and Karen at a Manchester football game. They attended many Akron Zips football games on Saturdays, and of course, enjoyed Barberton chicken with family after church on Sundays. Marco was a truly selfless person who dedicated his life to others. Preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Karen Burnette, whom he longed to be reunited with; parents, Frank and Addie Burnette; niece, Laurie Stevenson. Marco will be dearly missed by his beloved brother, Michael (Patti) Burnette; sister-in-law, Sherry Pettit. He greatly cared for and was a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews, Aaron Burnette, Ryan (Mandie) Burnette, Teri Moats, Debbie (Jeff) Roberts, Shelley (Brian) Wenzel; along with numerous great-nieces and nephews and many friends. Marco requested that the transition from life to death be one of celebration and not one of sorrow. He stated, “I will be united with Karen, my parents, and friends, once again. I am looking forward to that day with great anticipation and enthusiasm. DON’T CRY FOR ME, ANYONE!” The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, June 9th from 5 to 7p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton 44203. Marco’s funeral service will be held Saturday, June 10th at 10 a.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home with Pastor Dale Saylor officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Karen Lee Burnette Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Barberton Community Foundation, 460 W. Paige Avenue, Barberton, OH 44203.

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