Geraldine “Gerry” Alean Burton (89)

Geraldine “Gerry” Alean Burton, 89, departed her worldly body on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 2:54 p.m., surrounded by her loving family at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

She was born February 8, 1935, the daughter of Ira and Mildred (McAdams) Porter (later Williams).Gerry met the love of her life, Frank “Vic” Burton at Zion Lutheran Church in Loogootee, Illinois, afterbeing introduced by their lifelong family friend, Carroll Engeljohn. Gerry and Vic later married at ZionLutheran Church on March, 10, 1953 and she graduated from Farina LaGrove High School in the same year.

She spent most of her adulthood as a dedicated homemaker and matriarch of Burton Farm in rural Mason, where she resided until her death. Gerry also worked as the dedicated Head of Laundry and Housekeeping at Lutheran Care Center in Altamont for 25 years, where she retired in 1997. Gerry was 50-plus-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and affiliated with Daughters of Zion at Zion Lutheran Church Loogootee. She was also an active 4-H Club Leader when her children were in their school years.

Gerry was known to all who were blessed to meet her as a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She walked the world with grace and humility, and did not know an enemy in life.

Gerry enjoyed traditional gospel hymns, fresh cups of black coffee and the warm, scarlet hues of the color red, but above all else; she most cherished the time she spent with her family, whom she loved and cared for more than anything in this world.

She was an excellent cook and gardener, who loved to bask at in the warm sunlight on her farmhouse porch, admiring the divine touch from the heavens in seemingly everyday things. From the first bird song of Spring to Winter’s fresh frost on the fields-Gerry appreciated God’s gifts in our world each day.

Gerry is survived by her loving children: sons; Kevin (friend Denise) Burton of Effingham and Kelly Burton of Mason; daughters; Terressa Martin (Joseph) of St. Elmo and Cheryl Parker (David) ofEffingham; sisters; Flossy Stanberry (Jimmy) and Virginia Rigdon; and a sister-in-law, Crystal Sexton (Alonzo).

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, whom she lovingly referred to as her “Sugarfoots”; Cara Martin-Pals (Justin) of Champaign, Jared (Kari) Martin of Patoka, and Drew Parker (Vince) of Pittsburgh, Pa, great-grandchildren; Adley and Brynley Martin of Patoka, Huxley Pals of Champaign and River Carll of Pittsburgh, Pa, and several cherished nieces and nephews.

Gerry is also survived by her lifelong best friend, Oma Engeljohn Ruff. Gerry and Oma met at Gerry’s16th birthday party, and weathered many of life’s storms together through the decades.In addition to her parents, Gerry was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank “Vic” Victor Burton of Mason; infant daughters Alicia and Dawnelle Burton; a daughter-in-law, Joella Burton (Kevin) of Effingham; three brother-in-laws; John E. Burton of Joliet, Alonzo Sexton of Springfield (Crystal) and Gary Rigdon (Virginia) of Brownstown; and a lifelong friend Carroll Engeljohn (Oma) of Farina.

Gerry was also preceded in death by three beloved and loyal farm dogs; Hiram, Sammy and Nipper.

Services to remember Gerry’s life will be held at Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont. Visitation will be held Monday May 6 from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. at Gieseking Funeral Home in Altamont,with Eastern Star services beginning at 4:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Burial and internment to follow at Old  Loogootee Cemetery in Loogootee, Illinois. Donations can be made in Gerry’s honor to Old Loogootee Cemetery in Loogootee, Illinois. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.