Allen Burrington
Allen Joseph Burrington, 73, of Hart, went to Heaven on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Muskegon. He was also born in Muskegon on July 23, 1951, to his mother, Maudie Lathrop Burrington.
Allen, the middle sibling to Marguerite, Michael, Gary, and Diane, was raised only by their hardworking, faithful, and loving mother in Elbridge, near the Lathrop family farm, his grandparents, Walter and Ella (Howard) Lathrop and (Unc) Edward and (Evelyn) Lathrop. Allen was a devoted, loving son to Maudie, he held her in the highest regards and close to his heart, visiting her in the Medical Care or calling her daily to check in until her passing in 2012.
Young life in Elbridge was full of hard work, and family struggles for the era, but lots of time for mischief and play for the three brothers especially. Farm adventures and sports filled their free time, baseball was a favorite of Allen’s to play with his brothers and neighborhood friends. Brother Gary notes Allen was the best at hitting rocks with a broomstick. Left handed, smooth swing, and blessed with a wicked pitching arm too. This time also is when his love for the Detroit Tigers began too, listening to them on the radio when they could.
Allen graduated from Hart High School in 1969, and worked the farm before he joined the U.S. Army with his brother Gary in 1972. They carried on their mischief playing golf where Allen had his first hole in one (he had one left handed and right handed), they may have ruined a few golf carts and body parts along the way too. Allen got married, had his first daughter Stephanie and moved the family to Colorado.
Stationed in Colorado Springs as a tank commander, Allen received orders to drive for a general overseas when a career ending injury on base occurred a few days before leave. Crushed between two tanks during practice maneuvers, he nearly died. He overcame this accident after a very long hospital stay and recovered, but would have chronic pain his whole life.
Discharged from the Army, he moved the family back to Elbridge and Pentwater and worked on local farms and in the labor union. Allen established, coached and played on his first recreational baseball team, The Antler Bar, with his childhood friends, brothers and a mix of baseball buddies new and old.
His second daughter Amber Joy was born in 1977 and he settled his family in Shelby in 1978. Allen enjoyed having his mom, siblings and nieces or nephews at his home most every weekend. His love for his family was unmatched, family dinners were the norm with homemade meals made out of nothing.
The house was a landing for friends to visit, play cribbage, hang out in The Dungeon or admire his summertime garden. He continued his love playing baseball, pitching and playing first base with his team. Many remember the Sunday games at John Gurney Park and Pentwater ball fields. Years later he joined fastpitch softball and played with his best friends, including Rog & Ride. Allen played second base, non typical for a lefty, but he could turn a double play and make it look flawless. He also was a bowling member of the High Rollers Team at the Eagles for many years.
As years passed, Allen married Linda Lorenz Burrington in August 1986 in a garden ceremony at their home in Hart. Linda and Allen were an inseparable duo. They worked together at Lorenz Party Store and Dave’s Party Store and enjoyed working the farmers’ market together for many years. Allen along with Linda were known for their amazing Halloween parties in the Big House, enjoyed car rides in Beldon’s big blue car or the little red Fiero, a casino run, or just a daily gas station visit for lotto and three to four newspapers. Allen made friends easily and would not be afraid to tell them he loved them and consider them part of his family. He continued his activities with his siblings deer, mushroom hunting and mischief in Eldridge with his broskis, phone talks with his earth mother sister Marguerite and endless teasing with baby sister Diane. Allen will be remembered as a story teller, often re-sharing stories of childhood, a newspaper article or a play made by Steph in a softball game, as well as a devoted Detroit Tiger and Lions fan.
Named Grandpa Mustache by granddaughter Sydney, he was a fun, loving and mindful grandpa and friend, making the best barbecue chicken and prided himself in teaching them manners. He was known to call them to say he loved them or leave a voicemail that was so heartfelt or hilarious. Often watching grandchildren overnight along with Grandma Linda, as well as opening their home many times to their grandchildren for long stays, as needed.
Allen continued to work assignments in the labor union until retirement, establishing a another amazing friendship with his boss, now considered bonus son Mark Yaney.
As Allen and Linda were enjoying retirement, he began to experience many medical issues that impacted his daily life and worsened over the years. Resilient, Allen bounced back, surgery after surgery, illness or set back for years.
Allen and Linda moved to their current home in Hart, same street as daughter Stephanie and Scott in 2022. They enjoyed their neighbors, continued to garden and improve their home. As Allen’s medical conditions worsened. His daughter Amber was her dad’s Dr Google, advocate and person from the beginning of his illness. Stephanie, close family and neighbors were also involved to assist with the multiple appointments, hospitalizations and help with the household too, but in fall of 2024 Allen’s resilience weakened. After a long battle from a fall in December 2024 and procedures that followed, Allen was unable to recover without extreme pain from his injuries. With the deepest sadness and heartache for his family, Allen went to heaven at the Poppen Hospice House in Muskegon Michigan late Friday night January 17.
He will be forever missed for all that knew and loved him, but we know he soared to heavens to pitch with all the power he was born with, free of pain and full of knowledge he read or watched in his 73 years. It was his game and were proud we honored his words throughout the series.
Allen is survived by: his beloved wife, Linda Lorenz Burrington along with daughters and their families: Daughter, Stephanie (Scott) Sherman, Sydney (Christian) Crocker and Shay Sherman (Megan Bell); daughter, Amber (Martin) Tuchbaum, Taylor Tuchbaum (Dalani Flees) and Traverse Tuchbaum; bonus daughter, Deb (Russ) Daugherty, Heather (Billie) Knoth, Shawn Daugherty, Derrick (Jess) Daugherty and Megan (Avelino) Tienda; bonus daughter, the late Lisa Lorenz Andrews Amanda (Bobby) Penter, Jennifer Peebles and Melenda Whipple; brothers, Michael Burrington, Gary (Brenda) Burrington; sisters, Marguerite (Kevin) Munson and Diane (Mike) Nielsen and Aunts Marguerite Fitzsimmons and Evelyn Lathrop; as well as 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous exceptional nieces and nephews he adored; bonus son, Mark Yaney; and special friends, Roger Dukes and the late Gary Rider.
Special thanks to Dr. Paul and the Hart Family Medical team, Family Financial Credit Union ladies, Hansen Foods team and the Hart EZ Mart friends for all your help, care and kindness.
Following Allen’s wishes, a formal funeral will not be held. Allen’s Celebration of Life will be announced in the spring.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
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