Leroy Earl Burgess

Leroy Earl Burgess, age 88, formerly of Edgewood, Illinois passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2020 at Aperion Care in Olney, Illinois.

Celebration of life will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022 at Pagel Funeral Homes in Edgewood with a one-hour visitation prior to the service. John Willis will be officiating. Masonic Rites will be observed. 

Leroy was born on December 2, 1931 in Edgewood, Illinois, the son of Earl W. and Bernice M. (Greear) Burgess. He married Rosalee Willis on January 22, 1959 at Louisville Methodist Church in Louisville, Illinois. Leroy was an Air Force veteran and served during the Korean War. He was a member of the Edgewood Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years, Edgewood American Legion Post #1168, Edgewood Christian Church and Effingham Heart Shrine Club, where he was named Shriner of the Year in 2003. He was Treasurer of the Edgewood Christian Church for many years and was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Leroy loved fishing, hunting, gardening, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalee Willis Burgess of Marietta, Georgia; daughter, Pam Barak (husband Richard) of Marietta, Georgia; brother, Bob Burgess of Edgewood, Illinois; three grandchildren, Brandon Barak (wife Analyn) of Springfield, Tennessee, Kaley Barak of Casa Grande, Arizona and Matthew Barak of Washington, DC; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Burgess and Bernice Burgess Weaver; son, Stephen Leroy Burgess; brothers, William, Ralph, and Dwain Burgess; and sisters, Nell Redding and Helen Dunning.

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