Obituaries

Lester E. Burgard

March 5th, 1930 – September 19th, 2017

Lester Eugene Burgard, age 87 of Havana, IL, passed away at 6:23 pm on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the Havana Health Care Center in Havana, IL. He was born on March 5, 1930 in Littleton, IL, the son of Andrew Burley and Irma Elizabeth (Bollinger) Burgard. On August 27, 1949, Lester married Rosa Lee Danner in Astoria, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Jerry Burgard of Havana, Lyle (and Pamela) Burgard on Browning, IL, and Pastor Rick (and Cathy) Burgard of Havana, two daughters, Sheila (and Gary) Sloter of Astoria and Loretta (and Robert) Mansfield of Warsaw, IN, thirteen grandchildren; Chris Burgard, Keith Burgard, Althea (and Todd) Russell, Jennifer Burgard, Michael (and Amy) Burgard, Scott (and Tera) Burgard, Matthew (and Jessica) Burgard, April (and Jim) Wilton, Theressa (and Harry) Shambaugh, Gary (and Renee) Sloter, Jr., Geff Sloter, Susan (and Joshua) Moran, and Robert Paul (and Mandy) Mansfield, nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Lester was preceded in death by his sister, Marian Huseman.

He worked for the railroad when Lester and Rosa Lee were first married. He then worked for Farr Trucking in Table Grove, IL and later went to work for International Harvester in Canton, IL for 29 years, retiring in 1983. He became an ordained minister with the Church of the Nazarene on August 14, 1970 and pastored churches in Bath, Astoria, Fairbury, and Rushville, Illinois. Upon retirement, he did pulpit fill for area churches.

Lester enjoyed fishing and coon hunting in his spare time, but his life was dedicated to his work and his church.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:00 am at the Havana Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Rick Burgard will officiate. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 22nd from 4-7 pm at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Interment will be in the Woodland Cemetery, Astoria, IL. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Havana Church of the Nazarene.

Condolences

September 20th, 2017

Loretta & Robert.....So sorry for your loss. I know that the Lord is comforting you during this time.
Fran McCoy- Swayzee Nazarene

September 20th, 2017

So sorry for your loss

September 20th, 2017

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for ALL of you.
So many precious memories.
I was your Avon Lady Bev
You ALL have my sympathies

September 20th, 2017

Our sympathy to the Burgard family. Praying that you will feel God's arms around you to comfort you. Love & Prayers, Larry & Elsie Jones

September 21st, 2017

We are so sorry for your loss,Steven and I always enjoyed talking to your parents at camp

September 21st, 2017

So sorry for your loss. He was such a wonderful man of God--so enjoyed talking to him at Manville camp. His smile was infectious. May your wonderful memories of him help you through this difficult time.

September 21st, 2017

I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great influence in my life. Sharon Allie Parks Breitbarth

September 21st, 2017

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY,,

September 22nd, 2017

What a great man of God! Sympathy, hugs, and prayers for the family,
Rev Joe and Rev Carol Techau

September 22nd, 2017

I recall my dad saying about Lester many times, "He's a good man." He was right. John Spohn

September 22nd, 2017

A good friend, loving, kind, considerate and friendly. I am blest to have known him. We shared the same ordination class. Thinking and praying for you today.

Mack & Shirley Clarlk

September 23rd, 2017

Praying that the God of all comfort (1Corinthians 1:3) will indeed bring comfort to all the family today and in the days to come. Rev. Tim Hicke

September 25th, 2017

So sorry to hear the news. We have been out of town or we would have been there. Thought a lot of Pasture Burgard and his family. Praying for you all, he will be missed. Lisa (Layne) Thoron, Sharon (Trone) Layne