advertisement

Donald Charles Burroughs of Dowell

Donald Charles Burroughs, 101, of Dowell, Illinois, passed away at 1:40 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2020 at the home of his daughter, on the same piece of ground that his life began, and surrounded by his family.

Donald attended grade school at the Burroughs School and graduated from Elkville High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army Company C, 805th Aviation Engineer Battalion in Panama, Hawaii, Okinawa and was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant-E5 on Nov. 25, 1945.

On returning home, he worked as a coal miner in the tipple at the old and new Kathleen mines. In 1958, he returned full time to his lifelong farming career. Donald was a member of the Elkville Baptist Church. He was also a member of UMWA.

He was born Aug. 2, 1919 on the family farm in rural Elk Township, to Walter Darnell Burroughs and Sophia Wilhelmina Friederike (Kiel) Burroughs.

Donald married Enid Dolores Little on June 26, 1949 at the First Baptist Church in Dowell. They were married for 66 years before she preceded him in death on Feb. 13, 2016.

He is survived by three daughters, Terri Lynette Kelley of Las Vegas, Carole Lee Burroughs (Christy Bubier) of Arlington, Texas and Launa Gaye (Stephen) Dinkins of Elkville; five granddaughters, Tiffany Martin of Las Vegas, Amber (Adam) Lewis of Du Quoin, Brittnee (Michael) Johnson of Austin, Texas, Hillary Dinkins of Elkville and Kaydee (Brandon) Green of Quantico, Virginia; one grandson, Jason Martin of Dowell; and eight great-grandchildren, Tevin and Ally Martin, Reagan, Emerson and Aiden Lewis, Henry and Charlie Johnson and Madilynn Green.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant daughter, Rae Ann Burroughs; four siblings, Thelma Mary (Burroughs) Creekpaum, Carroll Summers Burroughs, Walter Warren Burroughs, and Florence Isabelle (Burroughs) Rath Baskin; and one grandson, Shannon Martin.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 at the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin with Rev. Gary Pate officiating.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the cemetery.

Please use social distancing guidelines. Everyone in attendance is required to wear a mask.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the Army National Guard.

Friends may make memorials to the Baptist Children's Home and Family Services (Grace Haven), 949 County Road 1300 N., Carmi, IL 62821.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.