James A. Burtoft

James A. Burtoft, age 94, passed away on December 16, 2013.

Born in Akron, he was a life resident, and was employed at the Kesselring Dairy. James and his brother, Joseph developed a casing machine used in the dairy industry and obtained a patent for it. He was a member of Ellet Grace Brethren Church.

Preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Alldean; brother, Joseph Burtoft; and sister, Elizabeth Young Schmardbeck, James is survived by sons, James (Debbie) of Washington, Pa., and John (Cheryl) of Warsaw, Ind.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Brockelman of Surprise, Ariz.; and sister-in-law, Norma Burtoft of Akron.

Funeral service will be Saturday, 11 a.m. at Ellet Grace Brethren Church, 530 Stetler Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44312, with Pastor Jonathan Carey officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312; and also at the church from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday. Memorials are suggested to Haven of Rest Ministries, P.O. Box 547, Akron, Ohio 44309-0547; or Ellet Grace Brethren Church.