Richard D. Burton

Richard ?Josh D. Burton, 61, of Roscoe, IL and Beloit, WI died on August 24, 2007 in his home. He was born in Belvidere, IL on July 1, 1946 to Alice E. Anderson Burton and Dale W. Burton. He Married Virginia L. Young on August 22, 1997. Josh was the founder of The New Court Theatre on campus at Beloit College which completed its eighth season on August 18th. Josh, a professional actor, writer, director and producer was a member of Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild. He performed in an ?also starring role with Jack Guilford and Lou Jacobi in the Broadway Company of Neil Simons The Sunshine Boys and the acclaimed off-Broadway production of The Ballad of Sad Cafa(c). He also performed Soaps: The Guiding Light and on The Doctors. Josh appeared at New American Theatre in A Christmas Carol, Proposals, Corpse, Room Service, Othello, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, The Sunshine Boys, Moon Over Buffalo, Playing With Fire After Frankenstein, As You Like It, The Foreigner, The Boys Next Door, Proof, The Guys and Oliver. His last public performance was in Love Letters with Colleen Burns on February 14, 2007, at the Performing Arts Center in Janesville, WI. His last public appearance was on August 17th attending one of the last performances of Broadway Bound. At the Plays end, Josh led the standing ovation for his lovely actors, mentees and mentor, Rod McDonald. As the applause diminished, Rod walked across the stage, Josh stepped forward to meet him and they embraced to another rise in applause. Survivors include his wife, Dr. Virginia (Ginger) Burton, three step children, Erin (Kurt) Bockoven, Patrick Meyer and Ivy Meyer, and one grandson, Clayton Bockoven. Virginias mother, Blanche Young and extended family also survived him. nbsp;In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Audrey (John) McElroy and Delores (Fran) Peterson; two nieces, Jill (Ron) Brooks and Lisa (Bob) Brundrett and Great- niece Avery and Great- nephew Riley Brundrett, and extended family there. Joshs surviving AA family includes many friends and Sponsor, Jerry Rice. Josh loved nature and animals; his black Lab Dhamma survives him. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Sharon, and a nephew, Johnny McElroy. The family will receive friends from 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 30th at the First Presbyterian Church, 501 Prospect Avenue, Beloit, WI. A performance memorial service will follow visitation at the church. He will be honored and remembered by actors: Colleen Burns and Jack Wilson, Georgina Stoyles-Cardamone, Erik Uppling and others. A gathering of friends and family for refreshments and casual story telling will be held in the poetry garden after the funeral. His wife and will commit Joshs remains to the ocean, and at his mothers graveside. nbsp; Josh requested that memorial contributions be made to Ivys College Fund in care of his wife, Virginia Burton. Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Riverside Chapel, in Rockford, IL assisted the family. For information please call (815) 226-2273 or to express condolences online please visit fitzgeraldfh.com.