Marlene Kay Burton

Marlene Kay (Schafer) Burton,

84, of Mineral City, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, at 11:47 p.m. at Truman Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.

Marlene was born April 30, 1942, in Mineral City, Ohio, to Ernest and Irene (Ley) Schafer. A lifelong resident of Mineral City, she graduated from Tuscarawas Valley Schools in 1961.

Marlene married her beloved husband, Murvel Leon Burton, on October 20, 1961. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith, friendship, and service to their community.

Marlene was deeply devoted to the Mineral City community and gave countless years of her time to helping others. She served as a Girl Scout Brownie leader. She was an active member of the Mineral City Church of the Nazarene, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and church board steward. She also taught bible quizzing for children in grades 1 through 6 and was lovingly known as the Kids Konnection “cookie lady.”

She was a member of the Helping Hands Club and an active member of the Mineral City Historical Society. Her dedication to her community was recognized when she received Citizen of the Year honors from both the Mineral City Lions Club and the Tuscarawas Valley Ruritans.

Marlene’s greatest passion was her work with senior citizens. She served as site manager for the Mineral City Senior Center under HARCATUS SNP and then continued serving the community for another 12 years at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center in Mineral City. The Senior Center was her passion, and she loved every single person who attended. Her warmth, kindness, and genuine care for others touched countless lives.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Murvel Leon Burton; her children, Michael and Diane Burton, Ronald and Karma Burton, and Linda and David Shilts, all of Mineral City; her grandchildren, Adam Herron, Jennifer (Robert) Shilts Cutler, Heidi (Derek) Varansky, Bill (Tori) Jones, Corey (Leoria) Jones, Alexa Burton (Harry Kamenos), Jenna Morelli, Angela Morelli, Ericka Morelli, and bonus granddaughter Sydney Smith. Great-grandchildren, Malachi Varansky, MaKenna Varansky, Evelyn Jones, Silus Jones, Nadyne Blose, Lukas Jones, Alaina Jones, Caliya Morelli, and Aniya Morelli.

She is also survived by her sisters-in-laws, Willa McNutt and Sue Schafer; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends Nick and Luann Herron of Massillon, Ohio.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Irene (Ley) Schafer; her brothers, Robert Schafer and Jerry Schafer; her sister, Norma Oliver; her in-laws, Eli and Hazel Burton; brother-in-law, Paul Oliver; sister-in-law, Geraldine Schafer; niece, Brenda Schafer; and great-granddaughter, Ciara Morelli.

Services will be held Saturday at 11am in Mineral City Church of the Nazarene. Interment in Greenlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia Friday from 6-8pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marlene’s memory may be made to Mineral City Church of the Nazarene, or the Mineral City Senior Center, both at 4705 Center St., Mineral City OH, 44656. Condolences may be left at: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com.

Marlene will be remembered for her unwavering love of family, her deep faith, her dedication to children and seniors, and the countless ways she made her community a better and more caring place. Her kindness, compassion, and genuine love for people will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Gordon (330) 866-9425