Rev. Kenneth Arden McBurney, 93, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Born on May 26, 1931, in Beloit, Kansas, Kenneth spent his early years in Beloit and Hill City, and later, Quinter, Kansas. He graduated from Quinter High School in 1949. His academic journey continued at Sterling College for two years before he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture-Ornamental Horticulture from Kansas State University in 1954.
Kenneth proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1954 to 1956, stationed in Japan. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1962.
Pursuing a calling to ministry, he completed a Master of Divinity from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA in May 1959. On June 13, 1959, he and Virginia Ann Chess of Pittsburgh were married.
Kenneth served faithfully for 36 years as a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA), shepherding congregations across North America and abroad. His pastoral work spanned six years in Portland, Oregon, eleven years in Denison, Kansas, and nineteen years in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. He also participated in a pastoral exchange with the Loughbrickland and Clare RP Churches in Northern Ireland. His leadership extended beyond the pulpit—he played a foundational role in establishing the Lawrence, Kansas RP Church, the development of Camp Curry (Winchester, KS) and was instrumental in founding both the Ottawa Reformed Presbyterian Theological Hall and the Ottawa RP Church in Ontario, Canada. Throughout his career, Kenneth mentored numerous pastoral interns, leaving a lasting legacy of guidance and encouragement. Following retirement from full-time ministry, Kenneth and his wife, Virginia, settled near Beaver Falls, PA. They enjoyed many cultural, musical, and sporting events at Geneva College and he especially enjoyed watching his nephew Keith Mann’s children compete. Kenneth continued to serve as an elder on the session of First RP Church of Beaver Falls, PA.
A man deeply rooted in both faith and the soil, Kenneth’s love for agriculture was evident throughout his life. From his early days as a 4-H member to over sixty years of gardening and landscaping, he cultivated beauty wherever he lived. He was also musically gifted—a devoted precentor at church services and an accomplished player of several instruments including the harmonica, French horn, and ukulele. Kenneth wanted to make a tissue donation to science through CORE (Center for Organ Recovery & Education) in Pittsburgh, and his donation will help to train search and rescue dogs.
Kenneth is lovingly remembered by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Virginia Ann Chess of Pittsburgh, and their three children: daughter Joyce DeFont (Michael) of Walden, New York; son Scott McBurney (Donna) of Topeka, Kansas; and son John McBurney (Alisha) of Indianapolis, Indiana. His legacy continues through his six grandchildren: Erik DeFont (Roxbury, Vermont), Nicole DeFont (St. Petersburg, Florida), Bethany McBurney Kempfe (Jonathan) (Rockwall, Texas), and Abigail, Jasmine, and Makayla McBurney (Indianapolis, IN). He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Ayla and Mason DeFont (Roxbury, VT).
He is also remembered by his stepbrothers John Forman (Lorraine), Tom Forman (Nancy), stepsister-in-law Keay Forman, and their families; brother-in-law Scott Boyle (Rose) and his family, niece JoAnn Boyle Smith (David) and her family, and Ruth and Bob Mann’s family- Roger (Malinda), Sheryl Linders (Mark), Keith (Jill), and Greg (Catherine), and their families.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Waldo and Irene McBurney, stepmother Vernice Chestnut Forman McBurney, sister Ruth Mann and her husband Bob, sister Mary Jane Boyle (Scott), niece Tammy Boyle, stepbrother Rhea Forman, and great-nephew Michael Linders.
Kenneth will be remembered for his steadfast faith, gentle spirit, and unwavering dedication to his family and church communities. Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the following in Kenneth’s name:
Denison RP Church-Denison, KS
Hillside RP Church-Almonte, Ontario, Canada
First RP Church of Beaver Falls, PA
Geneva College -Beaver Falls, PA
Reformed Presbyterian Home- Pittsburgh, PA
Camp Curry
CORE- Pittsburgh, PA
Parkinson’s Research
