Dale A. Burnett

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Dale A. Burnett (1947 - 2011)

Obituary

Dale A. Burnett, 64, of Jacksonville, died Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born Jan. 19, 1947, in Franklin, the son of John Ellsworth and Verna Lee Stewart Burnett. He married Nancy J. Gaffney on Aug. 9, 1975, at the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield, and she survives.

He is also survived by two children, Ben Burnett of Jacksonville and Hannah (fiancé, Derek Haggard) Burnett of Urbana; two brothers, Coy Richard (deceased wife, Edna Leona) Burnett of Jacksonville and Gene (wife, Shirley) Burnett of Naples; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Harold Burnett and Gary Burnett.

Mr. Burnett was a social worker for the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for 34 years. He was a graduate of Franklin High School and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1966-68, stationed in Germany. Following his service, he earned a bachelor's degree from Sangamon State University in Springfield.

Mr. Burnett was a loving, caring and involved father. He coached teams for both the YMCA and Elks leagues and enjoyed billiards, golf and football. He began each day with breakfast and coffee with friends and always had a project underway, either remodeling a home or restoring a car. He especially loved Dodge Trucks, Pontiac Firebirds and TransAms. Dale believed that Jesus Christ was his Saviour and was proud to have devoted 20 years to providing care to his brother, Gary. He will be missed by his loving family and his Westie, Roxie Renee.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Williamson Funeral Home, with burial and military rites at Franklin Cemetery in Franklin. The family will meet friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.

Published in Jacksonville Journal-Courier on September 7, 2011