Kermit Burrous

Kermit O. Burrous of Indianapolis, the former Indiana Speaker of the House of Representatives, passed away May 26, 2010. He was born Oct. 7, 1931 in Mexico, Ind., the son of W. Harold and Cora (Pugh) Burrous, and graduated from Jefferson Township High School in 1949, and attended college at Ball State University, Indiana University-Kokomo and the IU School of Law-Indianapolis.

He is survived by his wife, Anita J. Snyder; daughter Deborah L. and son-in-law Allan Reed of Danville, granddaughter Jessica Reed and her husband James Cook, and grandson Daniel Reed and his wife Adrienne; Elaine K. and son-in-law Steve Rinehart of Indianapolis, and granddaughters Renee and Emily Rinehart; and son Eric Burrous of Greenwood. Also surviving is his sister, Bernita Goble of Peru, brother-in-law David Snyder and his wife, Joan, also of Peru; sister-in-law Vivian Clark and her husband Tom, now of Colorado; and sister-in-law Virginia Langston and her husband Bill, now of Florida; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Kermit farmed in Miami County for the 45 years he and Anita lived in Mexico, Ind. He was active in the Mexico United Methodist Church and served in local, state and national offices in the United Methodist Church.

He was elected to the Indiana General Assembly in 1960, serving nine terms in the House of Representatives, serving Miami County and, at different times, all or portions of Wabash, Cass, Pulaski and Kosciusko counties. He was elected Speaker of the House for three terms, served as caucus chairman for four years, and spent one term as vice-chairman of the National Council of State Legislators.

He remained active after leaving the legislature, serving on the Miami County Redevelopment Council and the Indiana State Rural Development Council.

Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday (June 1) at the New Life United Methodist Church in Mexico, at the intersection of U.S. 31 and County Road 400 North.

The service will be followed by a visitation reception from 3-6 p.m., also at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, or another charity of the donor's choice.