Leland Burdett “Peanut” Buroker, 90 years old, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021. Born in Grant County, Indiana, on July 23, 1930, to Delmus and Bessie Wilson Buroker, he attended Point Isabel, Swayzee High School, and Ivy Tech. In 1945, at age 15, Leland met his only love, Mary Kathleen Moorman. They were wed on June 19, 1948, and were married 72 ½ years. They resided in the Swayzee area for 85 years before moving to Westfield in 2015 to be near their daughters. Leland and Mary are best known for their senses of humor, strong faith, work ethic, and multitude of friends.
Leland was a grain and livestock farmer at heart. He retired from Gen Corp as a machinist after 25 years. A builder, carpenter, electrician, and welder, Peanut was a “fixer” of all things, be it cars, farm machinery, HVAC, Thomas the Train, dolls, or tricycles. During the pandemic, Leland repaired six vintage Singer sewing machines. The day before being hospitalized, he mended his American flag–a true patriot. He invented medical and mechanical devices, built a mammoth lathe, two scooters, and restored a 1940 Chevy he drove in all of his grandchildren’s weddings. An elder at Swayzee Christian Church, he attended Antioch and Mount Olive. He was a 4-H leader, member of the Indiana State Fair Board, Farm, Euchre, and Swayzee Lions clubs. He was an avid reader, Sudoku enthusiast, and Kroger online shopper. Upon his death, he obtained his wish to “wear out” rather than “rust out”.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Mary, and three daughters: oldest daughter–Rebecca Sue Young of Carmel and her three sons, Christopher (Amanda) Young, Sam, Jack, and Anna Kate of Mason, OH; Chad (Cass) Young, Cameron and Boden of Fishers; and Brady (Elizabeth) Young, Riley and Emma of Carmel; middle daughter–Peggy Ann (Ken) Williams of Carmel and her three daughters, Megan (Bradley) Husted, Carter, Andrew, and Chase of Manlius, NY; Brianne (Michael) Kirkpatrick, Owen, Emily, and Henry Leland of Crozet, VA; and Ashley (Scott) Hetrick and Allison of Carmel; and youngest daughter–Janice Elaine (Greg) Reed and her two daughters, Mikayla (Ryan) Koharchik, Rowan and Reed; and Kylie (Chris) Jackson, Harper and Leland, all of Zionsville.
A family man, Leland was proud of his family and they dearly loved Grandpa Peanut. They will miss his big smile, hugs, Mickey waffles, golf cart rides, flip phone, tools, Old 40 Chevy, folksy platitudes, and life lessons. While looking at his family picture the night before his death, Leland told Peggy, “Each of those 40 is a good person. I’ve had a great life and am blessed.”
His brothers, Lindell (Jane) and DeMerle (Eleanor), predeceased him. Upon marrying, Leland lovingly gained The 11 Moorman Kids, his wife’s brothers and sisters. He was good to his in-laws, Earl and Martha Moorman, and his 35 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, in Leland’s honor, try to develop a servant’s heart and help others when you can.
The funeral will be private to the family at Swayzee Christian Church. All are invited to Thrailkill Cemetery at 3:00 pm on Friday, February 12, 2021, for his final resting.
Cards, stories, and condolences may be mailed to Mary at P.O. Box 277, Carmel, IN 46082.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Rybolt Chapel, 314 N. Washington St., Swayzee, IN.
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