Katherine Downin Burtner

Katherine Downin Burtner, age 96, of Elm Hill farm, Boonsboro, Maryland, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Born July 31, 1926, she was the daughter of the late David Bruce and Thelma Pauline Downin of Pinesburg, MD.  Married March 7, 1953, to her late husband Walden Burtner of 65 years.  

Katherine was a 1944 graduate of Williamsport High School. She was employed as a clerk at the U.S. Public Health Services office in Hagerstown in her younger years and later worked as a postal clerk at Fairplay Post Office for 27 years. Katherine was an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church serving on the vestry, Washington County Farm Bureau, Women's Committee secretary, National Council and State Garden Club's President and Chapelwood Garden Club President.   She enjoyed volunteering, logging countless hours, with Washington County Museum of Fine Arts for 15 years, the Red Cross Bloodmobile for 25 years, Meritus Medical Center and Washington Co. Hospital Auxiliary for 9000 hours and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program for 1879 hours.  Katherine received the Washington Co. Most Wonderful Citizens Award in 2005 and Fairplay District Election Day chief judge.  She also enjoyed bus trips and family gatherings, gardening, and being a farm wife.  Katherine spent her golden years volunteering and spending time with her beloved granddaughters, Julia, and Sarah.

Katherine is survived by three daughters, Cassie D. Burtner of Hagerstown, MD, Jacqueline S. Burtner of Germantown, MD, and Nancy F. Burtner of Boonsboro, MD; two granddaughters, Julia F. Eckstine of Boonsboro, MD, and Sarah R.B. Eckstine of Normal, IL; one brother, Thomas S. Downin (Kathy) of Williamsport, MD; one sister, L. Marie Downin of Doral, FL, as well as nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, John D. Downin and late wife Laura, William B. Downin and wife Harriett and A. Jack Downin and wife Pat: two sisters, Josephine P. Landry and late husband Bill and infant sister Trixie L. Downin.

The Burtner family would like to thank the staff of Somerford House for the excellent care they provided for four years and most recently Homewood at Williamsport.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro, Maryland where a celebration of Katherine's life journey will take place at 2 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Rev. Tim May will officiate. Interment will be at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Cemetery (Lappans) in Boonsboro, Maryland.