Date of Death: July 15, 2024
Service Details
Visitation at Hohner Funeral Home begins at 1 p.m. August 3 followed by a service at 2 p.m. A video of the service is available here.
Obituary Notice
Fred Albert Burnett III, 78, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, July 15, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born November 19, 1945 in Detroit, the son of Fred and Shirley (Saccoman) Burnett. Shirley died tragically in 1955; he was then raised by his mother Marilyn Burnett after she wed his father. He graduated from Southgate High School and went on to earn his Bachelors degree and later Masters degree from Western Michigan University.
After student teaching in Three Rivers and a semester teaching in Dowagiac, Fred began a 36-year career as an educator at Three Rivers High School, teaching various history classes, government, and driver’s education. He also coached football, track, and cross country. He started the girls’ cross country program, coached the boys cross country team for 14 years and was head coach for the boys’ track team for 25 years. He was instrumental in developing the County Cross Country Meet, the County All-Star Track Meet and the Wildcat Track and Field Invitational.
He married Michele “Shelly” Weiandt in 1989. They spent much of their time outside of teaching watching their 5 children play sports but were also avid fans of Michigan State football. They enjoyed jogging, biking, dinner & movie dates, and spring break trips to Florida.
Besides Michigan State, Fred was also a die-hard Lions fan, every season proclaiming this would be their year! He had many life-long friends, who would get together every year to attend the Indianapolis 500 race. His friend Don McKenna continued to visit Fred right up to the end.
Fred loved spending time with his family, as well as golfing, reading, watching sporting events, and traveling. One of his favorite trips was a spring break vacation at Tween Waters Resort on Captiva Island with 3 other couples and everyone’s kids. For the last 20 years the Burnetts have wintered in Florida where Fred could continue working on his golf game, but come spring he couldn’t wait to get back to Michigan to watch his grandchildren participate in their sports & activities and join his regular golf buddies.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Shelly Burnett; children Amy (Steve) Butler, Fred (Courtney) Burnett IV, Benjamin (Eli Morales) Burnett, Meghan (Charlie) Williams, and Kathryn (Matt) Garber; grandchildren Abigail, Alesandra, and Savanna Butler, Liam and Audrey Burnett, Isabell Burnett, Sydney and Alivia Williams, Charlee, Josie, and Judah Garber. All of his children and grandchildren knew Fred to be kind, loving, selfless, fair, diplomatic, have a positive outlook and give the best advice. Fred’s mother Marilyn Burnett; siblings Lou (Sue) Burnett, Michelle (Gary) Freeman, Beth Oliveri, Tim (Beth) Burnett, Phil (Linda) Burnett, Bart (Jane) Burnett, Dean Burnett, and Lisa Burnett all remain to cherish his memory.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Brenda Hy.
Additional Information
Donations in Fred’s memory may be directed to the Three Rivers Sports Boosters. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Fred was a neighbor for many years on the St. Joseph River. He was another father figure for me.. He was a lot of fun. He loved Tigers baseball and I always enjoyed talking Tigers and Lions with him.. No matter what was going on I could always turn to Fred for a supportive ear , advice or jokes. He loved to play with his Children (and my sister and I) from basketball to baseball. He was very supportive in Sports.. One memory in particular with him was supposed to be a teaching moment in a softball game turned into a huge laugh. We were playing on a little league softball team with his daughter Amy. I was thrown out trying to steal second base. I was very upset. He came up to me and said “Hey now its OK just remember Kirk Gibson (My favorite Tigers player) wouldn’t be upset if he was caught stealing.. I wasn’t upset anymore because I was shocked by the comment and started Laughing!!! I have never forgotten that!! He was always able to come up with a good laugh or great advice!! I will miss him!!! Our prayers to Shelly, and his kids.
Fred was one of those people who was a foundation for me at TRHS. I am a much better person for knowing him. Coaching the track team for 15 years with him as his assistant was the highlight of my career and I have countless fond memories of those times. He was an inspiration to hundreds of students and athletes and he will forever cherished by them. Words cannot fully express the loss I feel. Vicki and I extend our deepest sympathy to you Shelly and the entire family. You continue to be in our prayers as you have been for the last year.
Very sad to hear of Fred’s passing (still “Mr. Burnett” to me). He was such a kind teacher and was certainly a gift to TRHS. My deepest condolences to Shelly, his children and to all family.
Mr. Burnett was my driver’s ed teacher. He always had his foot on the brake when I came to a yield sign.
I also participated in the girl’s first cross country team that Mr. Burnett started at Three Rivers High School.
Mr. Burnett was always very kind.
Fred was a great man, good neighbor and all around nice person!
You will be missed, Fred!
Please accept my sincerest condolences, Shelly and children🙏
So sorry Katie❤️
Shelly, we are saddened to hear of Fred’s passing. He was a great neighbor and a good shuffleboard player. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Barbara and Joe
Fred was a teacher and friend for over thirty five years at Three Rivers High school. He was a proud member of the hard hats organization the male teachers organized. He taught all of my children in history and they all confirmed what a good teacher he was. Fred was a competitor in city league basketball as well as a weekend warrior. He also loved being a part of the Monday morning Manure Tour golf league. I got a kick out of giving Fred and Gene Beals all the red, orange, and yellow golf balls I would find around the perimeter of the course. Fred was a good teacher, coach, and friend. He will be missed. My condolences to Shelly and the family.
Coach, thank you for believing in me, and pushing me to be my best. When I broke the high jump record in 1994, your hands on my shoulders shaking me and saying “see, potential” was your unwavering support of a lazy kid that you saw something in. Little did you know, that is all I wanted. Validation from you. You retired from coaching before my senior year, but I always saw you in the stands, And you were the first to reach out and congratulate me on my achievements in 1995. I only wish I could’ve done those things under your watch. Rest well my friend. To Mrs Burnett, and the entire family, I send my sincerest condolences.
So sorry to hear of this…. Fred was a very honorable teacher and all the kids loved him
Our sincere Condolences & Prayers are with Fred & his Family. We were neighbors and more importantly Friends for for several years on the River. From the rituals of the “Battle of the Stars” & shopping trips for our Families to just having fun & helping each other, Fred was always there for us & a fun companion.
Sincerely,
Steve & Family
RIP Fred. Always so kind when I began subbing at the HS. Shelly and kids….may you find peace with your faith and memories.
Sue Potts
1963 this 1/2 WOP from Taylortucky first met up with this tall and ” suave and debonair” stud from Southgate. You roomed with this Irish bloke named Don reminded me of that move the “Odd Couple”. We graduated the same time and hooked up a couple times over the years and stayed in touch throughout the years by tele’ and ‘net. Always enjoyed the connections. Recall how much you enjoyed polishing the brass on your ROTC uniform as I was airing out my jock strap; looping through McDonald’s (Southgate) and Big Boy (Trenton) trying to pick-up chicks. You were very protective of your family. Recall when Lou was a freshman at WMU and I was coaching him on the finer points on how to enjoy social life – you shut me up pronto. Will never forgive or forget that “blind date” from HELL you set me up with.. Enjoyed every minute with the 9 Henry Hall amigos, Thanks for the memories.
Wishing you God Speed into you next phase and peace and comfort to your family
”til we meet again. In my prayers
Ciao & Pur Vida
Always a friend
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news Fred was such a kind man . Please know all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. So glad I got to see him at the girls softball games this year
He was a person who always wanted to encourage and motivate people to fulfill their dreams!!
I roomed with Fred during the summer 67 at WMU. We were in the West Campus apts . and it was a great summer other than we had a few classes, I lost touch with Fred after college but saw him on the email string that Johnson sent around. Hate to see his passing but we are all getting older. As I tell everyone, we are all playing on the back nine, we just don’t know which hole.
Fred is and always will be a big part of my life. We have shared so many things over the years and memories will last. Teacher, coach, father, husband, grandfather, were all positions he filled so well. Fred touched so many lives, and now he has been invited to a bigger calling. Rest well my friend. I will miss you but always remember you.
My sincere condolences to the Burnett family. Fred was the eldest brother of my dear childhood friend , Michele. He was 5-6 years ahead of us in school & off to college & life adventures before I personally knew him. His obituary reflects upon his many good qualities & the impactful legacy he passed on to others. May his family remain strong during their great loss. Sending love & hugs…
I walked through life at Fred’s side for 67 years. Through Southgate football (co-captains, all-conference) then on to WMU and the rest of our lives. There is a hole in my heart that only my fond memories and Christ can fill. Whenever I was with Fred, I knew my back was covered. God speed my friend.
Thoughts are with you Shelly,
Regards
Johnny
Fred was my longtime coworker, fellow Spartan, city league basketball teammate who could not go to his left, and most importantly my friend. He is not gone. He will stay with me and for that I am grateful. Love to his family, friends and the Three Rivers community. Tom Barnum
Shelly,
Rick and I are so sad after hearing of Fred’s passing. We have such good, happy memories of him. You two were such a good match and good friends to all of us. Please know that you and your families are foremost in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Rick and Peg
I think this is the Fred Burnett that I had for world history in high school. I am sorry to hear this. My condolences to the family.