James O. Burr

James O. Burr, age 88, of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at his residence at 6:30 am on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. James was born on February 16, 1920, in Stronghurst, Illinois, the son of Herbert Clinton and Blanche Priscilla Renner Burr. He was reared and educated in the Stronghurst and the Gladstone Grade School, and attended the Gladstone High School. Following high school, James joined the United States Air Force in 1942, He served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was promoted to the rank of Sargent before his discharge 1946. He then joined the Reserves from 1950-1951. James married the love of his life, Vera Elizabeth Perdue on March 13, 1948, in Gladstone, IL and she currently is surviving. James first went to work in the Iowa Army Ammunitions Plant, in Middletown, Iowa and also for a time at the McKinnsey Rock Quarry. In 1951, he began farming with his father for a number of years near Gladstone. He then went to work for General Electric in 1972, in Burlington, IA, retiring from there in 1983. He also worked part-time as a custodian of Gladstone High, and Biggsville Grade School, as well as drove a school bus. Later in life, Jim and Vera owned and farmed a small acreage 2 miles west of Biggsville, IL. Jim and Vera moved to Oquawka in February 1990 after the sale of their farm. Jim was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Burlington and more recently was attending Faith Bible Church in Oquawka. Jim enjoyed woodworking and gardening. Jim is survived by his wife, Vera E. Burr of Oquawka, his daughter-in-law Debbie Burr Wirt of Burlington, Iowa. Two grandsons, William and Mark Burr, and one great grandson Cody Burr, one sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Duane Harden of Media, Illinois. as well as nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, two adopted sons, one daughter-in-law and two sisters. Services:A graveside service will be at 11:00 a,m. on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Carman Cemetery, Carman, Illinois. His family will receive friends at the Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquwka, on Thursday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am prior to the Graveside in Carman. A memorial fund is being established for Faith Bible Church in Oquawka, IL