Burton L. Hetherington, 86, of West Main Street, Ringtown, passed away unexpectedly Monday at his residence.

Born in Ringtown, June 27, 1928, he was a son of the late Ward and Verna Manbeck Hetherington.

He was a graduate of the former Conyngham Township High School, Aristes.

Burton was raised in a farming family, later becoming manager of the Berwick Vegetable Cooperative and owner of Tamaqua Fruit Co.

He was a lifelong member of Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church, Ringtown.

He was very active in the Republican party and was the founder of the PA Ag Republicans, as well as serving as a councilman on the Ringtown Borough Council. He served on the Board of Trustees for Penn State University and was a member of the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board.

Burton was also a member of F&AM Lodge 737, Caldwell Consistory, Rajah Shrine.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Pond, in March.

Burton in survived by his wife of 63 years, Louise Lindenmuth Hetherington; four sons, Barron "Boots" Hetherington and his wife, Robin, Ringtown, Richard Hetherington and his wife, Laurie, Matthews, N.C., David Hetherington and his wife, Lori, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Randall Hetherington and his wife Deborah, Odessa, Texas; 12 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church, 271 W. Main St., Ringtown, with the Rev. Bonnie Yeager officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burton will be laid to rest during private family services in United Methodist Cemetery, Ringtown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory are asked to be made to either Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church, 217 W. Main St., Ringtown or to the Burton and Louise Hetherington Ag Scholarship at Penn State Schuylkill campus. Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown, is assisting Burton's family during their time of need.

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