René Angela (Korbas) Burtscher, age 64, of Shelby went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Avita Health System- Ontario Hospital.
Born April 2, 1961 in Shelby, René was a 1979 graduate of Shelby High School and Pioneer Joint Vocational School where she was in the Cooperative Office Education program. Her education at Pioneer got her working life started in a variety of business professional roles for several years. In the early 2000s, she returned to college, at the same time as her daughters, working hard to fulfill her ultimate goal of a career in education. This mid-life change would soon become her passion. Through hard work and perseverance, René worked full time all while completing her degrees. She graduated from The Ohio State University and continued directly into earning her master’s degree from The University of Findlay- both degrees in education. While completing her schooling, she began working at Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Job Training.
René thrived in her role as an educator. As she completed her studies, more desirable positions at Pioneer became available, thus resulting in her becoming a VOSE coordinator which later morphed into being an intervention specialist- a position she still currently held. René was respected amongst colleagues, valued amongst peers, and beloved by her students whom she loved in return. Mrs. Burtscher was totally vested in not only her students’ education, but most importantly their well-being. This was evident in the time and dedication she spent planning their pathways and assisting in their goals. It was these qualities and more that earned her the much-deserved Pioneer Teacher of the Year in 2023-2024.
Of the many blessings that came to René from her time at Pioneer, truly the best was meeting her husband, Dan. They began dating and later married on July 3, 2012. Together they enjoyed many adventures, travels, and were always ready to try new things. René and Dan could not go anywhere without finding someone of which she had a connection or being sought out by both former students and friends. This was a result of her strong way of connecting with people and caring for them deeply.
René loved her family in all forms, both immediate and more distant. She was a loving wife, an undoubtedly devoted mother to her two daughters, and a beloved “Noonie” to her grandchildren. Incredibly creative, her summers were spent crafting adventures and activities for her grandkids. Grass did not grow under her feet. She was always ready to get out and do whatever was ahead, making memories unforgettable.
The color blue was her favorite no matter what- clothes, décor, flowers, and it ultimately may be the initial reason she was a Dallas Cowboys fan. However, that stayed persistent in her life along with golfing. She loved golf and proudly coached and helped form the Shelby Girls Golf Program at Shelby High School. Additionally, it was no secret that a stop to get a chai tea was a must no matter the occasion even if it was to travel to enjoy warm weather.
Survivors include her beloved husband: Daniel L. Burtscher; daughters: Rochelle (Mike) Zuercher of Shelby, Lauren (Jacob) Kirchner of Columbus, Leah Burtscher (Brandon Davidson) of Lakewood, Allison (John) Ballenger of Mansfield, and Josh Burtscher of Shelby; grandchildren: Beckett and Griffin Zuercher and Kenton and Madelyn Kirchner; her mother: Martha Alice (Kenton) Roberts of FL; sister and brother: Michele (Junior) Salinas of TX and Chris Korbas of Shelby; nephews and niece: Ryan (Jennifer) Salinas, Brenna (Donald) Pruett, Konnor Korbas, and Kody Korbas; mother and father-in-law: Walter and Barbara Burtscher of Dover; in-laws: David (Amy) Burtscher and Doug (Kelly) Burtscher; and numerous other relatives and friends including many cousins, aunts, and uncles. René was preceded in death by her beloved father, Paul Andy Korbas, in 1981.
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 4-8 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a rosary will be recited at 8 pm. René’s Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 10:30 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby, with Fr. Chris Mileski celebrating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer CTC to be used toward the newly founded René Burtscher Memorial Scholarship. Contributions may be left in the care of the funeral home.
Condolences may be made on René’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).