Obituaries

Robert H. “Pete” Burmeister Robert H. “Pete” Burmeister was born on April 11, 1941, to Harry and Leona (Mau) Burmeister, and died on February 10, 2025, age 83. He married Delores Hoeper on November 12, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Church in Gratiot. He ran the salvage yard for a couple of years before working for Storck’s Tire, which he bought with Walt Mathy. After selling the business in 1973, Pete went to work for Lawrence Harbach. Pete and Delores moved to Spring Green in 1973. He worked a couple of different jobs before opening Spring Green Machine & Welding in 1984, which he ran until he retired in 2007. Pete enjoyed hunting, especially up north by Grandview at the cabin he co-owned with his Darlington hunting buddies where he also enjoyed having the family up to visit. He helped teach hunter safety for over 10 years, and many of his past students have mentioned how much they learned from him. Pete loved to go to yard sales and antique stores. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family and traveling around the United States. Pete and Delores moved to Clarence, Missouri, in October, 2007, and he enjoyed going to a flea market in Rutledge, Missouri, where he had a booth for a few years. Pete enjoyed his morning visits from his Spring Green friends while he ran Spring Green Machine & Welding, and after moving to Clarence, he shared the same ritual with his Clarence friends. Pete and Delores moved back to Darlington in 2022. Pete enjoyed spending time with his friends and with his family. Pete is survived by his wife Delores; four children, Connie Weiss, Fort Myers, Florida, Robert Jr. (Jody), Stoughton, Amy (Tom) Carpenter, Bella Vista, Arizona, Beth (Jim) Bauer, Sturgeon Bay; ten grandchildren Alicia Carpenter, Nicole (Nick) Esser, Rachel (Jay) Taylor, Lexiee (Patrick) Wewel, Jessica (Dave) Kibler, Taylor Omernick, Ziandrea Bauer, Torey (Heather) Carpenter, Josh (Ashley) Burmeister, and Emalyn Bauer; nine great-grandchildren, Connor and Sophia Esser, Clayton and Declan Kibler, Everett Carpenter, Levi and Jackson Wewel, Koleson Omernick, and Dawson Burmeister; sister Darlene Brooker; sisters-in-law Mary Winslow, Mary Hoeper, and Joan Hoeper; and  brother-in-law Ervin Hoeper. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; son Steven in 1986; nephew, Tim Hoeper in 1986; brother Charles; brothers-in-law Don Brooker, Ronald Roethlisberger, Jim Winslow, Joseph and Vernon Hoeper; sisters-in-law Evelyn Rothlisberger and Katheryn Hoeper. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to the family to be designated to Agrace Hospice Care. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green. Pastor Kendall Harger will officiate with burial in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.  Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com  The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.