Walden Burtner
October 16, 1924 — October 5, 2017
Walden Harp Burtner, age 92, passed away at Elm Hill Farm, surrounded by his family and friends, Thursday, October 5, 2017.
Born October 16, 1924, he was the son of the late Jacob Harp and Mary Julia Burtner. Married March 7th, 1953 to Katherine Pauline Downin, wife of 64 years.
Walden was a graduate of Boonsboro High School, where he was a member of the FFA and the marching band.
Owner and operator of Elm Hill Farm in Boonsboro, he was a grower of Certified Hybrid Seed Corn for over 50 years. A member of the Washington County Farm Bureau, Southern States Cooperative Board member and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and sang in the choir.
Walden excelled in jousting and was the Maryland State Champion in 1954, 1958, 1959 and 1963 riding under the name "Knight of Blue Ribbon". He was inducted into the National Jousting Association Hall of Fame.
He enjoyed entering the Maryland State Fair and the Great Hagerstown Fair winning hundreds of blue ribbons and champions for his seeds, hay and stalk corn.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Cassie D. Burtner of Hagerstown, Jacqueline S. Burtner of Germantown, Nancy F. Burtner of Boonsboro; two granddaughters, Julia F. Eckstine and Sarah R. Eckstine both of Boonsboro.
Walden was preceded in death by two sisters, Sarah E. Conner and Rosemary J. Burtner; and one brother, Jacob H. Burtner.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at the funeral home with Rev. Anne O. Weatherholt officiating. Burial will be held at the St. Mark's Episcopal Church Cemetery at Lappans.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.