Fred E. Burnett

Fred E. Burnett, 80, of Springfield, IL and Mesa, AZ, passed away with his family at his side on Friday, August 22, 2008 in Mesa. Fred was born October 23, 1927 in Springfield, the son of Fred E. Burnett, Sr. and Lois Valerius Burnett, who preceded him in death. He married Dorothy Main on January 8, 1949. Fred spent 35 years working for Illinois Bell Telephone Company before retiring. He served as the Exalted Ruler of Springfield Lodge No. 158, BPOE from 1984-85. He was the Convention Coordinator of Illinois Elks Association from 1985-89. In addition to being a 50-year member of Central Lodge No. 71 of the Masonic Order, he was past Vice-president of Abe Lincoln Chapter of Telephone Pioneers and past president of Southwest Khoury League. Fred was also active in Springfield Area Bowling Leagues for 20 years. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy; his daughter, Sally Campbell-Hutcheson of Curran, IL; his son, Steven R. (wife, Maitely) Burnett of Orlando; six grandchildren, Roy J. Campbell, Jr., Bridget R. Burnett, Angela Campbell-Hutcheson, and Noah Hutcheson of Springfield, Tatiana Cannizzarro and Steven Rey Burnett of Orlando; four great grandchildren; and several cousins. Family will receive friends from 5:00 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Elks B.P.O.E. Lodge No. 158 will conduct a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. Funeral ceremonies will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Vaughn Beeman officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will provide military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2001 S. Lindberg Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131-3597, or Illinois Elks Crippled Children's Corporation, 1201 N. Main St., Chatham, IL 62629, or National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.