Richard Lee Burnett

Richard Lee "Dick" Burnett, 74, of Murphysboro passed away at 7:46 PM Monday, June 30, 2014 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Richard was born on August 14, 1939, in Cairo, Illinois, to William "Tanner" Burnett and Rosemary (Halteman) Burnett. He was a retired Engineering Technician 5 with the Illinois Department of Transportation, and had been the President and Treasurer of the Carbondale Highway Credit Union for many years. After his retirement he began working for E.T. Simonds and he also sold real estate for the Heins Real Estate and Ozburn Real Estate and Insurance Agencies. Richard was a devout Christian, who loved the Lord with all his heart. He was a member of Calvary Campus Church in Carbondale, where he greeted everyone with a smile, kind word and of course a hug. He was a graduate of Cairo High School, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart Barbara Ann Axelson on November 17, 1961, in Cairo. Barbara always said a man chases a woman until she catches him. She survives. Other survivors include three children Carla Bunselmeyer and special friend Kevin Ehlers of Murphysboro, Angela Ritter and her husband Eric Ritter of Carterville, and Gregory Burnett and his wife Alyssa Burnett of Godfrey, IL; eight grandchildren Daniel (Khrystyne) Bunselmeyer, Matthew Bunselmeyer, Elizabeth Bunselmeyer, Michael Ritter, Christin Ritter, Anna Burnett, Grace Burnett, and Justin Burnett; one brother Kenneth Burnett and his wife Sharon Burnett of Murphysboro; and one sister Carol Green and her husband Joe Green, all of Murphysboro; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, uncles and aunts. His family was a very important part of Richard's life which was reflected in the life he lived. Richard was a devoted husband, who loved and adored his wife as she adored him. He fulfilled her wishes by working several jobs, so that she could stay home with their children. Dad was a tender, caring father who was always there for his children. He always loved and supported them throughout his life. He coached all of his children, never missing a game. Papa was a cherished grandfather who always made time for his grandkids. If he wasn't on the floor playing with them, he was attending one of their many activities. He was always there and supportive of his brothers and sisters in their time of need and was a true and loyal friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, but we take great comfort in knowing that he is with his Lord Jesus Christ. Funeral services will be at 11 AM Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Calvary Campus Church in Carbondale, and entombment will follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM Monday, July 7, 2014 at Pettett Funeral Home in Murphysboro, and then from 10 to 11 AM Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Calvary Campus Church or to the Alzheimer Association. For more information please visit http://www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Richard Lee Burnett

August 14, 1939 - June 30, 2014