This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Burdett Lee Wappes who was born in Warsaw, Indiana on Tuesday, March 03, 1987 and passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2004 at the age of 17 yrs, 7 mos, 7 days, from misdiagnosed double pneumonia . We will love and remember him forever.
Burdett was a loving child who always wore headphones as he listened to his favorite music. He loved everyone and was always smiling a big beautiful smile. He would practically knock you over to give you the greatest hugs in the world.
Burdett was always ready to listen to his friends' problems and quick to buy anyone lunch when they didn't have money to buy their own; if he was broke he would share his lunch with them.
He enjoyed jumping on the trampoline, doing handsprings, weight lifting and playing video games. He was an acolyte at St. Anne's Church in Warsaw, a member of the youth group and a volunteer in the Children's Chapel. He loved to talk about God and Jesus; telling people how he couldn't wait to go to heaven to be with them and those who passed on before him.
He was a Junior at Warsaw Community High School, worked part-time at Gordy's Sub Pub and was preparing to get his drivers license so he could drive his car, a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo; black with a moon roof. It was his pride and joy.
May you find comfort in this Scottish Blessing: Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be swift to love, make haste to be kind, and go in peace to love and serve the LORD. Burdett lived life just that way.
Thank you for visiting Burdett. It is a great comfort to me to know that he is remembered and loved. Please feel free to light a candle or pay a tribute to him; and come back to visit as often as you like. If you have a story to share or picture to post, please feel free to do so. It is a wonderful tribute to him, as he always told me he didn't have any friends; no one liked him. Of course, he knows better now. God Bless you all.
Gift of love from Diane, angel Mom of Nathanial Pannell. Thank you, Diane.
Gift from Ruth, Twin to Jose. Thank you, Ruth, this is so great!! I love it!!
Mother's Day gift from Ruth, twin of Jose Figueira. Thank you, Ruth!
A Mother's Day gift from Angela, daughter of Linda Taylor. Thank you, Angela
Gift from Kimmi, Mom of angel Eric Shavensky. Thank you, Kimmi I love it!!
A gift from Rosemary, sister of Alvin Cremeans. Thank you, Rosemary.
Memory of Burdett from Georgie, Holly Clarke's Mum Thank you, Georgie, I love it
A lovely gift from Teri Drebit, Mom of angel Jaime. Thank you, Teri, I love it!!
Gift of love from Ruth, twin of Jose Figueira Thank you so much, Ruth, so beautiful
DEAREST MAMA, I SEE HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME AND WISH I WEREN'T GONE. I TOOK A PART OF YOU WITH ME THE DAY GOD CALLED ME HOME. PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND DEAR MAMA, THAT WE'RE NOT THAT FAR APART, FOR I'LL BE FOREVER NEAR BECAUSE I HAVE YOUR HEART. I KNOW THERE'S TIMES YOU FEEL THERE'S NO REASON TO GO ON, YOU WISH YOU COULD BE WITH ME, AND YOU HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG. JUST BECAUSE I WENT HOME AND I'M IN THE MASTER'S HANDS DOESN'T MEAN I'M NOT STILL WITH YOU... BESIDE YOU'S WHERE I STAND. PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND DEAR MAMA, THAT I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU SO, I CAN'T STAND TO SEE YOU HURTING SO THERE'S SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW. EACH TIME YOU FEEL THE SUNSHINE UPON YOUR LOVELY FACE, IT'S ME SMILING DOWN UPON YOU AND TOUCHING YOU WITH GOD'S SWEET EMBRACE. EACH NIGHT YOU'RE SAD AND LONELY AND THE TEARS YOU CAN'T CONTROL. I'M RIGHT THERE BESIDE YOU AND I NEVER WILL LET GO. GOD TOLD ME TO TELL YOU THAT HE KNOWS YOUR PAIN INSIDE. FOR HE LOST HIS SON TOO, UPON THAT CROSS HE DIED. HE WASN'T TRYING TO HURT YOU BY CALLING ME HOME SO SOON, THERE'S JUST PLANS THAT HE HAD FOR ME THAT NO ONE ELSE COULD DO. I WANT TO THANK YOU DEAREST MAMA, FOR ALL YOU GAVE TO ME, BUT MOST OF ALL, I THANK GOD BECAUSE YOU'RE THE BEST MOTHER ONE COULD BE. SO, EACH TIME YOU THINK OF ME AND TEARS FILL YOUR EYES, WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP, JUST LOOK UP TO THE SKIES. LIFE ON EARTH IS HARD, I KNOW, BUT YOU MUST BE SO STRONG. FOR I'LL BE FOREVER WITH YOU UNTIL GOD CALLS YOU HOME. I LOVED YOU FROM THE START AND I LOVE YOU STILL, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP, MAMA, FOR IT'S JUST NOT IN GOD'S WILL. I NEVER WILL FORSAKE YOU, I'LL BE THERE EVERYDAY, I'LL HOLD YOU IN MY ANGEL WINGS AND GUIDE YOU ON YOUR WAY. ALTHOUGH, I'M GONNA GO NOW, REMEMBER IT'S NOT FOR LONG. FOR I'LL STAND BESIDE YOU THROUGH IT ALL AND I'M NEVER REALLY GONE. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY AND I HATE TO KNOW YOU FEEL SO LOST. JUST REMEMBER WE WILL MEET AGAIN CAUSE JESUS LEFT THAT CROSS.
"WRITTEN BY DAWN ELMORE"
A tribute for Burdett, from Brittany Syfert's Grma Rose. Thank you, Grma Rose.
Thank you, Jeri, Mom of Quan Majette.
A birthday gift from Dianne, mom of Nicky White Thank you, Dianne.
Burd Loved Pink Roses, thinking of you my precious Son!!!! Love You always, Momma
Phoenix: You have risen from the ashes; Fly, Babe, Fly with the angels!!! Burdett, I Love You, Momma
Who You'd Be Today
Sunny days seem to hurt the most. I wear the pain like a heavy coat. I feel you everywhere I go. I see your smile, I see your face, I hear you laughin' in the rain. I still can't believe you're gone.
It ain't fair: you died too young, Like the story that had just begun, But death tore the pages all away. God knows how I miss you, All the hell I've been through, Just knowin' no-one could take your place. An' sometimes I wonder Who you'd be today?
Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams? Settle down with a family, I wonder what would you name your babies? Some days the sky's so blue, I feel like I can talk to you, An' I know it might sound crazy.
It ain't fair: you died too young, Like the story that had just begun, But death tore the pages all away. God knows how I miss you, All the hell I've been through, Just knowin' no-one could take your place. An' sometimes I wonder, Who you'd be today?
Sunny days seem to hurt the most. I wear the pain like a heavy coat. The only thing that gives me hope, Is I know I'll see you again some day. -Kenny Chesney-
My Son
On the day God took you I thought I would die I wondered where the time went, I asked a lot of whys? With people all around me I felt alone inside From all their words of comfort, I couldn't seem to hide. I thought I might be dreaming That I'd wake and find you here, I thought "This can't be happening," As I wiped another tear. On the day that you were laid to rest My heart broke yet again, I wondered if the pain would end But mostly, I wondered when?? It's hard to be without you At times the days seem long, Sometimes I just sit crying, When there's nothing really wrong. I wish we'd had more time, Before your life was done. I hope you're resting peacefully,
My precious one, My Son.
Sometimes I grieve so deeply that I can hardly breathe One look at your photograph and the pain begins to ease Sometimes I grieve so softly that it hardly hurts at all One look at your photograph and the pain begins to call No matter how I grieve for you, one thing you will always find Is day or night, heavy or light, you're always on my mind
my guardian angel.... / Mary Stevenson (fiancee)
burdett i miss you dearly, i was in a bad car accident a few days ago and i could've died my injurys were that bad... but i made it through it and i think you hadsomething to do with it... i think you were watching over me...... i miss you and love y...
Continue >>
THINKING OF YOU / LuAnn Mom Of ^j^Bob Demartino (connected by angels )
Sending Early Easter Wishes to you Burdett w/ Luv! / Angela -. Daughter To Angel Linda Taylor
THINKING OF YOU AT EASTER / LuAnn Mom Of ^j^Bob Demartino
Happy Birthday / Bridget Dtr Of Allan R. Peacock (United by angels )
The death of a child is a devastating loss. I want to publicly express my gratitude to all who have taken the time to share with me their memories and special stories of my son, Burdett Wappes, who died suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004.
It has been an encouragement to hear how he touched the lives of others in our community. So many people have spoken about his kindness, and his willingness to help others. He served as an acolyte and enjoyed activities at St. Anne's Episcopal Church. He generously gave great hugs and his beautiful smile to family and friends.
We remember him with his headphones on listening to music, weight-lifting, doing handsprings, taking care of his car, doing well as a junior at Warsaw High and worrying about his girlfriends. Burdett was a happy 17-year-old looking forward to driving, to graduating from high school, joining the military and to becoming a police officer one day.
It seems impossible that this healthy, happy young man's life could end so suddenly. Because so many people have asked questions about his death, I want to share what we have learned from the autopsy. Burdett was ill with what seemed to be the flu. He saw a doctor at Medstat on Friday afternoon, Oct. 8, 2004, and was prescribed an antibiotic, cough medicine and fever reducer for an upper respiratory infection. Less than 48 hours later, he passed away in his sleep.
The autopsy showed that Burdett died of double pneumonia. The toxicology report states that there was neither a drug overdose nor a drug reaction. As hard as it is to understand, he simply died of congestion in his lungs. "Natural causes" is the official phrase. Of course, nothing is natural about a young life ending far too soon. Thank you for remembering Burdett and for your kindness to me and our family.
Annette Wappes Warsaw
Times-Union, 12-21-2004
In Appreciation
Appreciation
Editor, Times Union: It is with deep heartfelt appreciation that the family of Burdett Wappes wishes to thank the owners of Gordy's Sub Pub, Rocky and Carol Clemens, their wonderful employees and customers for the benefit in memory of Burdett held on Oct. 25, 2004. You are the best!
Annette Wappes Warsaw
Memories of Burdett
It matters not who Burdett's parents were. It doesn't matter that he was adopted by his maternal grandmother at the age of 4. It doesn't matter that he had Major depression, ADHD, a learning disability or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It doesn't matter that his IQ was 70. What matters is that Burdett loved everyone he met. Well, almost everyone. There were times when he would get mad and say things that he really didn't mean. Burdett was always there for you no matter what. He gave his love freely and in great abundance. He would take care of his friends no matter what the cost to himself. He was always willing to pay for someone's lunch or share his when he didn't have money to give. He was always witnessing for Christ to the kids at school and the little kids in Children's Chapel. He made 'being kind' an asset not a detriment. He loved to be funny and play practical jokes or tell an 'off-color' story, sometimes; when he could get away with it. He loved to do handsprings and the last time I saw him do them was at a church function called 'Buffalo Days' when all the kids were doing a talent show and Burdett chose to do handsprings until we were afraid he would hurt himself. It was great to see how the kids and parents cheered and clapped for him. He loved to play with kids and would have been a great father if he'd had the chance. He wasn't afraid to tell people, especially his girlfriends, that he respected them and wasn't going to have sex until he got married. He told his Mom and Dad that he loved them, but he didn't want to be the kind of parent they were; he was going to be with his children no matter what. Burdett loved his country and told me often how he was going to join the National Guard to fight for and protect his country and the people that live here. He did apply to the National Guard in Warsaw, and he would have made a good soldier; although I don't know what it would have done to him to hurt another human being, let alone kill one. Burdett was a gentle soul for all his bravado and braggadocio. Sometimes he had testosterone overflow; I think that's just a part of being a teen-age boy. For me, Burdett was a great son, even though I didn't give birth to him, he was my son from the time I adopted him, actually more like since his birth. His parents were both 15 when he was born. We had some awful times and we had some bad times, but most of the time it was wonderful. We were so close that sometimes it was hard to tell where he left off and I began; sort of a mirror image, if you will. I almost lost him when he was in a fatal car accident on January 2, 2004; so when he wanted to go live with his Mom after school was out in May of 2004, I gave him back to her. He only lived 5 months in her care, but during that time he was able to grow into a happier young man and it gave them time to re-bond before he left this world. If I had it to do over again, I would have cherished him more and like all parents, I would rather be the one to leave this veil of tears. It hurts so much to be without him and to know that I have to go on when I don't know how or why. I miss his wonderful hugs, his smiles that lit up the room, and hearing him say, "I love you, Momma."
A Star Is Named On January 2, 2004; Burdett was a passenger in a car driven by one of his friends, Mike Long. They had spent the day at Mike's house with another friend, Mike Shepherd working in the junk yard owned by Mike Long's parents. On the way back to Warsaw to drop Burdett off at home, a panel truck pulled out in front of them and Mike was unable to stop; he 'T-Boned' the panel truck and the driver's side was pinned under the truck. Burdett and Mike Shepherd were both injured in the accident and were taken to KCH for treatment. Mike Long died at the scene. Burdett was devastated by the death of his friend and said that he wished he was in heaven with Mike and his Grandpa Ed. On January 2, 2005, we named a star for Burdett and Mike in the constellation Orion. Burdett's star is named 'Burdman' as that was his nickname. Burdett and Mike are together again, in heaven and the stars. We miss you both and love you so much!
Students Mourn Loss KEEGAN MCHOSE PHOTOEDITOR, TIGER TRACKS October, 2004
Burdett Wappes, a Junior here at Warsaw Community High School, met an untimely death during the night of Oct. 9, 2004. Burdett had fallen ill and had attended a visit to the doctor. He was then prescribed medication and sent home to rest. On the evening of October 9th, Burdett had gone to bed, and to the dismay of many he did not awaken the next morning. The cause of his death is still under examination. Burdett's friends and family knew him as a friendly, normal, teenage boy. He was known to always care and be there for his friends. One friend, Freshman Aletha Jayne, stated, "I will always remember him by the way he treated me like a sister, and the way he loved his friends." Like any other teenager at the age of 17, Burdett was looking forward to obtaining his driver's license and all the privileges that come with it. He enjoyed music, and that was shown by the way he was always seen wearing headphones. Burdett also enjoyed sports as well as his Physical Education classes. Lastly, it was Burdett's willingness to help those in need that attracted most people to him. Junior Amber Richey, and Mrs. Quance, a counselor here at WCHS, both agreed that, "Burdett loved helping others, no matter what the problem." Burdett will always be remembered with his headphones on, and a smile on his face. _____________________________________________
Burdett's viewing was held on Wednesday evening, October 13, 2004 from 4-8 p.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church Warsaw, IN. Approximately 600 people came to the church to view his body and give their condolences. Burdett's funeral was held on Thursday morning, October 14, 2004 at 10:00 a.m., approximately 300 people attended his requiem mass celebrated by Father Brian Grantz and Pastor Lin Hutton. Quite a turn-out for a kid who said, "I don't have any friends, nobody likes me!" I think you were mistaken, Burdett! We love you and we miss you so much.
Burdett's ashes were placed in the columbarium located in the Chapel at St. Anne's Episcopal Church on October 20, 2004 during the 5:30 p.m. Evening Mass, celebrated by Father Brian Grantz
_____________________________________________
On November 15, 2004 we received the results of an autopsy that was performed on Burdett. The results stated that he died of bi-lateral pneumonia. Both lungs were completely congested along with his liver and both kidneys. We wonder how a healthy 17 year old, who had been seen by a doctor less than 48 hours before he died, could become so ill with pneumonia that it wasn't diagnosed? We may never know; however, others are asking that question also.
Tributes and Condolences
