MaryAnn Burton saw her Savior with new eyes on August 29, 2023. She had been longing to meet Him and reunite with many family members in Heaven.

MaryAnn was born on January 22, 1933, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Oliver and Elnora Reed. She grew up in Sheridan and enjoyed many fishing and hunting trips with her dad and mom in and around Yellowstone National Park. MaryAnn was a graduate of Sheridan High School though she did spend part of her high school years at Wheaton Academy in Illinois.

At Wheaton, MaryAnn met her first great love, David Bayert. They were married in south Missouri. They welcomed four boys into their home while David attended seminary and pastored a church. After David’s death, she moved back to the mountains of Wyoming.

MaryAnn went to the University of Wyoming and University of Northern Colorado to get her degrees in education. She taught school all over the state of Wyoming from a one-room schoolhouse in Wildcat, WY just after high school to special education classrooms. After she retired, she taught many Sunday school classes and had a special place in her heart for Joy Junction. She loved children and supported many ministries that focused on children. As with all teachers, she never got rid of something she might use for a lesson “some day.”

While she was teaching, she met her last great love, Avent “Bud” Burton. MaryAnn and Bud worked together and were neighbors as well. Together, they raised their eight boys. MaryAnn and Bud enjoyed riding motorcycles, hunting, and taking the boat out on the lake.

After Bud’s death, she moved to Deer Lodge, Montana, near her youngest son. She enjoyed the mountains, the elk, the dogs, her greenhouse, and her church family.

MaryAnn was known for being independent and outspoken. She lived alone for many years after Bud’s death and carried a revolver in her walker. She loved to call the elk and watch the birds at her homes in the country. MaryAnn was also a vocalist from a young age-she loved to sing and traveled with various choral groups. Most of all, MaryAnn loved her Lord and prayed for family and friends to know Jesus.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother; her sister Ruth Driskell; her beloved Aunt Grace McKeehan; her sons, Jonathan Bayert and William Bayert; and her daughter-in-law, Lu Burton.

She will be missed by her sons, Jim Burton, David (Cathy) Bayert, Jeff (Karen) Bayert, Barry (Sue) Bayert, Kristofer (Rebecca) Burton, and Caleb (Shelly) Burton; her grandchildren, Jenny (Matt) Koyama, Sarah (Kit) Durney, Anna (Lucas) Shaw, Jodee Ann (Steven) Bayert, Lauren (Mike) Bezold, Jon (Stacie) Bayert, Kristin (Chris) Waggle, Sunshine Bayert, Danielle (John) Bayert, Melody (Sam) Mehrtens, Jimmy Burton, EmilyAnne Burton, Kanyon Burton, Kaleb Burton, and Ben Burton; and many great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church, 1660 Big Horn Ave, Sheridan, WY 82801. There will be a viewing and visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Following the funeral service, a graveside service will be held at Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, 1000 Ash Street, Sheridan, WY. A memorial service for in Deer Lodge will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Wyoming, 1660 Big Horn Ave, Sheridan, WY 82801.

Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle. com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of MaryAnn.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for MaryAnn and her family.

The Sheridan Press - Sep. 2, 2023