Charles Ennis Burton's Obituary
Charles “Chuck” Ennis Burton, 65, of Milton, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on October 30, 2025.
He was born in Lewes on January 28, 1960, to the late John Clifton Burton II (“Jack”) and Gladys Hill Burton Stevens (“Hilly”). He was predeceased by his brother, William Virden Burton (“Randy”), and his granddaughter, Caralyn Jayne Burton.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Dawn L. Burton; three sons, Charles Matthew Burton (Samantha) of Millsboro, Jacob Cody Burton (Sarah) of Lewes, and Luke Daniel Burton (Olivia) of Georgetown; his siblings, John C. Burton III (“JC”) (Diane) of Lewes, Darryl Lee Burton of Smyrna, and Jane Burton Darden (John) of Franklin, VA; his grandchildren, Ashley, Joseph, Christian, Lillyann, Daniel, Cooper, Charlotte, Kevin, Gemma, and Coleson; and great-grandchildren, Lucas, Cassie, and Dakota.
Chuck had a deep appreciation for nature and the simple joys of life. He was an original participant in Punkin Chunkin, having competed in its very first event in 1986, and continued to organize and promote the sport, cherishing the opportunity to help raise funds for scholarships and taking immense pride in the good it brought to others.
He was also a lifelong collector of Indian artifacts and loved teaching others how to look for them. Chuck enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening, fishing, crabbing, clamming, hunting, and boating. He was honored to live off the land he called home for his entire life, preserving his harvest for the winter months and generously sharing much of his bounty with friends and family.
Chuck enjoyed taking children and young adults under his wing, teaching and mentoring them while sharing his skills, knowledge, and life experiences. This often created long-lasting relationships, including one with close friend Jake Farrell, with whom he shared many adventures. He also had a passion for breeding and raising Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and his loyal companion, Dela, was rarely far from his side.
In 1985, Chuck started his own business, beginning with masonry and concrete work. Over the years, he expanded his skills and services to include carpentry, excavation, and large-scale renovations—instilling his hardworking mentality and dedication in his sons, who began working alongside him from a young age. Chuck also took great pride in restoring historic buildings in Lewes, including the Vessels Building at 114 Second Street and the building at 109 West Market Street (formerly Café Azafran), leaving a lasting mark on the community through his craftsmanship.
When Chuck was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2021, he didn’t let it slow him down. After many of his chemo treatments, he went straight home, hooked up his boat, and went out on Rehoboth Bay to crab or walk the shores hunting for artifacts. He also continued to embrace his lifelong love of creating, making oyster knives from railroad spikes salvaged from the tracks that once ran through Lewes. He would heat, twist, shape, and carve them—crafting unique and beautiful designs that transformed pieces of local history into functional works of art. Chuck was very proud to donate them to charities to be auctioned off.
Chuck’s love for his family was the truest reflection of who he was—unwavering, selfless, and enduring. Though he is gone, his spirit and love will forever remain in the hearts of those he cherished.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Second Street, Lewes, DE. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue until 12:00 p.m. Interment will be private.
A reception will follow at the Inn at Canal Square, where friends and family can come together to share stories, laughter, and memories—just as Chuck would have wanted.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Beebe Medical Foundation in his memory.
Please sign the tribute wall located on this page.
FLORIST NOTE - PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3 PM ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6 AT OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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