Roger Michael Burton Jr., 42, of rural Colfax, passed unexpectedly on Sunday, April 20, 2025. He was born March 1, 1983 in Lafayette, IN to Roger M. Burton Sr. and Judy A. (Kohn) Burton. He married Natalie A. Plass on July 17, 2004 at Colfax Wesleyan Church and she survives.
Roger was a 2002 graduate of Clinton Prairie High School where he was a standout wrestler. Immediately after graduating high school, Roger joined his father as an Ironworker for Ironworkers Union Local 22 and has been a member since then. During this time, he also earned an Associate Degree from Ivy Tech. His extraordinary work ethic earned him multiple foreman roles, including his most recent position as a foreman on the Lilly LEAP project in Lebanon.
Outside of work, Roger loved music and to spend time outdoors. He enjoyed keeping his yard nicely mowed, kayaking on Wildcat Creek, and fishing at County Line Fishing Club with his daughters. He also enjoyed grilling and smoking meat for his family and friends, who were constantly over at his home hanging out around the grill or bonfires.
Roger was a thoroughly devoted husband to the love of his life, Natalie A. Burton, and the greatest father to his daughters, Hailey A. and Ashlyn R. Burton, who he loved more than anything else. Everything he worked so hard for was for his three girls. Roger also held a very special spot for Hailey’s longtime boyfriend, Seth Whitlock. He thought of Seth as the son he never had and was a great role model for him.
He was the greatest big brother to his sister, Heather (Bryan) Cauley and an amazing Funcle (Unky Roger) to their twin children, Caroline and Cole Cauley. He was beloved by his mom and dad, of rural Colfax, and made them so proud in everything he did. He is also survived by his “Favorite Mother-In-Law”, Jennifer Plass, grandmothers, Veronika Walker and Roberta Burton, and many aunts and uncles that deeply loved him.
Roger’s easy-going attitude towards life attracted an uncountable number of close friends that would do anything for him and he would do the same for them at any given second. Any evening of the week or weekend would find some of them playing poker or other games and laughing from his garage or his personally built fire pit over a cold one. He thoroughly loved having friends over to hang out with him and his family. He also made sure his friends had somewhere to go on holidays, and you always wondered who might swing by on Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. His heart for friends was only second to the love for his family.
Roger was preceded in death by his grandfather, Donald Burton Sr. and uncle, Bill King.
Visitation will be 10 AM – 2 PM Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S Main St., Frankfort, IN. Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM on Sunday at the Funeral home with Pastor Harold Henson officiating. A family burial will take place at Wyandotte Cemetery, Dayton, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through Goodwin Funeral Home to support the college funds for his daughters, Hailey and Ashlyn. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com to leave condolences and share memories.