Obituaries

Othello Burgard

April 29th, 1924 – July 29th, 2016

James Othello Burgard, 92, of Sheldons Grove, died at 3:30 pm on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Rushville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

He was born April 29, 1924, in Sheldons Grove, the son of Herschel and Helen Price Burgard. He married Beverly Jean Winston on February 15, 1948 in Havana, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Teresa (and Terry) Wells of Port Charlotte, FL, Rhonda (and David) Hester of Huntsville, IL; three sons, Alan (and Doug) Burgard of Springfield, IL, Jeffrey (and Cathy) of Lombard, IL and Kevin (and Ruthanne) of Monticello, IL; thirteen grandchildren – Ryan, David, Natalie, Joseph, Nathan, Courtney, Brian, Jeremie, Micah, Jarred, Emily, Alyssa, John & Michael; sixteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Clayton of Astoria. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Carmen of Jacksonville.

He attended three years of high school at Browning High School and completed his senior year and graduated from Rushville High School in 1942.

He loved his career as a farmer in Hickory Township. He and Beverly were recognized as Master Farmer Family of 2002 by the Schuyler County Agriculture Committee. He served as Hickory Township Town Clerk from 1949 to 1997, and was a key leader in the establishment of the Hickory-Kerton Water District. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Schuyler County Farm Bureau. He also served as a Schuyler County School Board member. He was a life-long member of Sheldons Grove United Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be held for Mr. Burgard at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 4th, at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Pastors Marty Briney and Bob Green will officiate. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 3rd from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Sheldons Grove cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Sheldons Grove United Methodist Church, Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice Care or Culbertson Gardens in Rushville.

Condolences

July 31st, 2016

So saddened by Uncle Othello's death. He was a fine man & will be greatly missed by family & friends. Love, prayers & hugs. Mark & Mary S Clayton

July 31st, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Nancy Carithers. Carithers Farms

July 31st, 2016

Papa - You will be missed! Your jokes always made us laugh... thank you for being a strong leader in our family. I love you, Your Granddaughter, Natalie Burgard aka... that crazy chicago driver :)

July 31st, 2016

We are honored to have met such a wonderful man. We join in prayers with the family, sending our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace. Love, Marek, Grażyna & Dorota Kulikowski.

July 31st, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Othello was such a good man, husband, dad, and papa. He touched many lives with his kindness and keen sense of humor. Tom & Susan Acker

August 1st, 2016

Our sincere condolences to Beverly and family. It's hard to let go of someone as loved as Othello, but he leaves them with many wonderful memories. Emily & Bud Carroll

August 1st, 2016

What wonderful memories Othello will leave with family and friends! He will be missed. God's peace and comfort on Beverly and family.

August 1st, 2016

Our Deepest Sympathy for the loss of a great man .... but I know that his wonderful memory will live on
Prayers Dennis & Cyndi Ratcliff

August 1st, 2016

My deepest love to the family. He & his wife were dear,dear friends to me & are fondly remembered.

August 1st, 2016

My deepest sympathy for Beverly and family. It was great growing up around such wonderful people like Othello.
Cindy "Robinson" McClintock

August 1st, 2016

Sorry to hear of your loss. Remember him and Beverly with great memories when we lived in Browning. Prayers for all his family at the time of your loss

August 1st, 2016

Marvin and Marilyn Biesenthal

August 1st, 2016

We are sorry to hear of your loss. Love from Florida, Connie Hodges and Becky Hodges Morris

August 1st, 2016

Kevin,

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your entire family on the loss of your father. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Kent, Debbie, & Grant Kidwell

August 1st, 2016

Othello was a very kind person. I had the pleasure of serving on the Township Board with him and when he retired and I took his place as Clerk he always had the time and patience to help me learn the job. We will miss him.

August 1st, 2016

debby pierce

August 1st, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. So sorry for your loss. Mike and Janey Ford

August 1st, 2016

So sorry to read of Othello’s death - he was such a wonderful man. So thankful we stopped to see him in Nov. of 2014 - had a great visit which we will always treasurer. Our love, hugs and prayers to Bev, Rhonda, Betty and the entire family.

Phil & Connie Glick

August 2nd, 2016

Our sympathies to all of you on the loss of Othello. He was a wonderful man who raised an awesome family and he always had a smile that lit up a room.
Mike and Brenda (Ellwood) Smith

August 2nd, 2016

Our sympathies to all of you on the loss of Othello. He was a wonderful man who raised an awesome family and he always had a smile that lit up a room.
Mike and Brenda (Ellwood) Smith

August 2nd, 2016

So sorry for the loss of your Dad..Nicki Phillips Hazzard

August 2nd, 2016

So Sorry for your loss. Elana

August 2nd, 2016

We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family. Donna and Lenore.

August 3rd, 2016

So sorry for the loss of a kind husband, father and grandfather. You have all been in our thoughts and prayers.
In sympathy, Kelly and Lynn Stambaugh

August 3rd, 2016

Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. The best neighbors anyone could hope for, Sincerely, Tom & Pam

August 3rd, 2016

We send our deepest condolences to your family for your loss. Our love and prayers go out to you all.

August 6th, 2016

For Alan and the family, my thoughts and prayers on the passing of your Dad and loved one. Alan and I graduated from RHS Class of '69' May you find comfort in your memories and may Mr. Burgard rest in peace.

Juanita (Peterson) Bainter

August 8th, 2016

Sending our deepest sympathy. Othello was such a kind man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.
Cristian and Katie (Briney) Murray

August 11th, 2016

Beverly and family im sorry for your loss. Othello was a very good person. Always enjoyed talking to him. Gina Clayton