Keith A. "Sonny" Burrier

Keith A. Burrier, age 72, of Dundee and formerly of Strasburg, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022, in Aultman Hospital, Canton.

He was born December 22, 1949, in Goshen. Keith graduated from Strasburg-Franklin High School in 1968, and went on to honorably serve two tours of duty with the United States Army during the Vietnam War; he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received by enemy action. Upon completion of his service time, on July 9, 1971, Keith married his high school sweetheart, the former Deborah S. “Debbie” Freitag, who survives. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021. Keith was employed for many years as a welder by the Republic Steel Corporation in Canton, from which he retired.

He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ and the Charles Hofer Post of the American Legion, of which he served as commander, both of Strasburg. He also belonged to the Carl C. Stoller Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New Philadelphia. Keith found joy and satisfaction in working with fellow veterans and helping them obtain the benefits to which they were due.

He loved his children and his grandchildren and was their greatest supporter, following their school, sporting and other activities closely. Keith was always there for them - in the bleachers, at the fence, in the dance recital or wherever or whatever the event was. Aside from his family and assisting veterans, some of Keith’s favorite pastimes included hunting and fishing (in his younger days), yard work and gardening, and Chevrolets - always looking for just the right one. Keith was also the proud owner of a red Kaiser-Frazer Henry J. and enjoyed going to car shows.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Debbie; his children, Missy (Josh) McKenzie of Strasburg, and Ryan Burrier of Dundee; his grandchildren, of whom he was so very proud, Hunter, Kylie and Hudson McKenzie, and Stella Burrier; his sisters, Millie (Keith) Saylor, Charlotte Keim and Judy (Kevin) Yoder; his mother-in-law, Norma Freitag; his brother-in-law, Ted (Rebecca) Freitag; his sister-in-law, Jodi (Scott) Bonifant; and his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, who played a strong role in his upbringing, Floyd and Thelma Burrier, and by his father-in-law, Robert Freitag.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, 140 S. Bodmer Ave., Strasburg, on Sunday, January 23, 2 - 4 p.m. A service will follow at 4, with Pastor Jason Rissler officiating. Immediately following the service, there will be a late lunch in the funeral home’s reception hall. Keith will be cremated and his cremated remains will be buried later in Strasburg’s Grandview Union Cemetery with full military honors. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Keith, please visit the Obituaries link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Keith’s memory be made to St. John United Church of Christ, 516 N. Wooster Ave., Strasburg, Ohio 44680.

Remembering Keith Burrier