George M Burton

George M. Burton, 92, of Champaign, died on Tuesday evening (December 29, 2020) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. 

There will be a graveside funeral service at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign, on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 at 11am. Owens Funeral Home is assisting the family.

George was born on August 23, 1928 in Pulaski County, KY; one of 5 sons born to Marion and Nell Burton. He married Mary Henderson on May 27, 1945 in Monticello and together they raised 3 daughters. George worked for Ozier Construction until the late 60's, at which time he and his best friend, Glen Ellis, opened their own business "Bur Ell Builders". In his retirement years George took on a 'fun job' of delivering cars for Worden-Martin and Bob Simpson's Auto Town. George was active as a player and coach with slow pitch softball at the Champaign Park District for many years. His daughter, Connie fondly remembers her father coaching her team. George was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and recalls going to games with his own father, 'when there was nothing but a dirt road' leading to the ball park. He enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Illini (football and basketball), the Bears and NASCAR. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his 3 daughters, Patricia Hastings of Monticello, Georgia (Steve) Elifritz of Urbana and Connie Samson of Tolono; 5 grandchildren, Don (Mary) Hastings, David (Jennifer) Hastings, Tonya (Michael) Nelsen, Ashlee (Adam) Crowe and Patrick (Lauren) Elifritz; 11 great grandchildren; 1 brother, Jim (Wilma) Burton of Tucson, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers and a son-in-law, Jim Hastings. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Eastern IL Food Bank. 

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