Please see UPDATED service information below.

John Robert Burt, PE (J.R.), 85, passed away Saturday February 6 ^th , 2021 surrounded by his immediate family and many others via zoom. John fought an amazing and courageous battle with COVID-19 and subsequent heart and kidney failure at St. Vincent's Hospital, in Indianapolis. John was born in Muncie, IN on November 20 ^th, 1935 to Carroll Willard and Esther Ruth (Vannatter) Burt and grew up on the Bluegrass Farm. Living in a large extended family (of 22 aunts and uncles) he learned from an early age the importance of helping others and putting family first. He graduated Royerton High School's class of 1953 and played every sport offered.

John attended General Motors Institute as a co-op student (sponsored by Chevrolet-Muncie) where he earned his Mechanical Engineering degree, and later pursued his PE. He met his true love, Elizabeth Joan Smelser from the accounting department at Chevrolet; they married on May 10 ^th , 1958 at Eden Church, in Muncie IN. John's family helped build Eden Church; he was a man of faith and joined the Masonic Lodge.

As GM Lead Engineer, John was a prime example of a work-hard/play-hard, adventurous, and personable guy. It was no surprise he worked his way up quickly in GM. He initially worked for Chevrolet in Muncie and by the end of 1961, was transferred to the Motor City of Detroit, MI, to work at GM's headquarters. He finished his career at Allison Transmission as an Engineering Leader managing over 600 people. He excelled at mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and leadership. As a result of John's unique talents and personality he progressed from having no car, to owning a Chevrolet, and finally cruising in a Cadillac, of which he was very proud. John was a hard-working farm boy from Muncie, IN. At the end of his nearly 40-year GM career at the age of 57 John retired from GM. He saved GM nearly $1M annually with his innovative mind, pioneering the "Green Lights Program".  He then moved on to work with Barth Electric and a privately-owned engineering company until 70 years of age. John's dad told him he could do anything, and John certainly lived it.

John was a patriot, who proudly served as a member of the National Guard. John was a motivator at work and home. He was a father, grandfather, and great grandfather. John encouraged everyone to reach for the stars and expected you to strive to do your best. We celebrated victories and straight A's. If we expressed an ambition, he got behind it 100%. His famous quote was "Do something even if it is wrong." John did not drink, kiddie cocktails for everyone! John was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He coached his Allison Transmission men's teams and the Carmel Dad's Club girls' softball teams. He won championships with his "play book." John exuded the intensity of Bobby Knight and pulled it together like Dale Carnegie. John loved the outdoors and took his girls fishing, camping, canoeing, hiking, skating, water skiing, snow skiing, scuba diving, and more. He loved hunting with his lifelong buddy, Dr. Jack, and took many trips to ranches out West, on horseback. He was an avid photographer and documented it all. He had a fearless spirit. He took his family to every one of the 50 states, and on numerous trips to Canada in float-planes, to fish on private lakes, which always included lots of candy and Grandpa Burt! He taught his children to take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the country he loved.

John had a very creative side, utilizing his active imagination to invent games, when his family was still quite young. He invented, patented, and launched 2 card games and one baseball "Nerf" game before Nerf was invented. He was never happier than when sitting down with a deck of cards with family or friends at his mom's house. His mother, Esther, always hosted Saturday games that went long into the night until she passed at age 98. The gatherings always included her famous mac and cheese, which drew John every time. John was someone you remembered if you met him, a humble guy from Muncie, IN who was unimaginably outgoing. He shook your hand, looked you in the eye, smiled, and gave you his card (for sure) and possibly one of his patented games that he always kept in the trunk of his car.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Joan Burt [Carmel, IN]; 3 daughters: Julia (Lance) Parker [Renton, WA], Jennifer (Peter) Newman [Marysville, WA], and Jayne Merryman [Carmel, IN]; 5 grandchildren: Matthew (Mair Wallis, MD) Newman [Denver, CO], Kassandra (Karl) Leingang, PE [Bothell, WA], Michael Newman [Monroe, WA], Bradley Newman [Marysville, WA], and "Kathryn Grace" Merryman [Carmel, IN]; 2 great grandchildren: Kale and Kadence Leingang [Bothell, WA]; brother, Don (Janice) Burt [Sandy, UT]; and sister, Margy Rogers [Marietta, GA].

John was preceded in death by his parents Carroll and Esther Burt, and his youngest brother Richard W. (Sue) Burt, DPM [Eaton, IN]. His legacy continues with so many of his traits living on within the generations that follow him. If you knew John Burt, you for sure would have a sparkle in your eye, as he did every single day, no matter the circumstance. John was a true blessing and an amazing dad, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor, and coach.

Please join us for John Burt's – "J.R.'s" - celebration of his "Roadway Thru Life." Visitation will be held on Monday February 15th, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 North State Road 3, Muncie. Family and friends welcome!  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday February 16th, 2021 at 2:00 PM, also in the Funeral Home, officiated by Reverend Max Hayden for immediate family, cousins, and relatives. Please contact a family member prior if you would like to attend services. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie. A reception for attendees will immediately follow, at Eden Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association. Please direct the announcement of your tribute/memorial to: Joan Burt 11333 Rolling Springs Dr; Carmel, IN 46033 [email: JohnBurtLivesOn@gmail.com ]. Visit https://www.kidney.org/get-involved or https://tinyurl.com/y2o3d2ss for more information.

NOTE: Effective Monday, February 8, 2021, Garden View Funeral Home and Gardens of Memory Cemetery are limited to a maximum of 50 people wearing masks, whether inside and out. Once the maximum is reached, additional visitors will be permitted entry only as others exit. Thank you for your cooperation.