Robert Ernest McBurney

14. Robert Ernest³ McBurney (George Washington², Hamilton¹) was born in Albia, IA January 11, 1890. Robert died September 25, 1961 in Elgin, IL, at 71 years of age. His body was interred September 28, 1961 in Elgin, Illinois, Lakewood Memorial Park.

He married twice. He married Mary Agnes DuFree in Elgin, IL, June 17, 1916. Mary was born in Elgin, IL August 20, 1896. Mary was the daughter of William Henry DuFree (Jr.) and Bertha "Bessie" Lorenz. Mary died June 15, 1974 in Elgin, IL, at 77 years of age. Her body was interred June 20, 1974 in Elgin, IL, Lakewood Memorial Park. Mary was divorced from Robert Ernest McBurney in Elgin, IL, 1945. Prior to her retirement in 1961, Mary had been a 20-year employee of the Illinois Tool Works in Elgin, IL. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Dorcas Circle of the church, the Vision Workers of the church, and the Elgin Woman's Club.

He married Margaret Veronica Burnidge in Elgin, IL, July 25, 1945. Margaret was born in Elgin, IL May 06, 1914. Margaret died July 18, 1986 in St. Charles, IL, at 72 years of age. Her body was interred July 21, 1986 in St. Charles, IL, North Cemetary.

Robert was divorced from Mary Agnes DuFree in Elgin, IL, 1945. Robert and Mary divorced in June 1945.

Robert retired December 31, 1960 after working 12 years in the Sink Top Department of St. Charles Kitchens where he did sink top assembly and special bench type of work.

Born in Albia, IA in 1890, Robert's family moved to Oklahoma when he was three years old. His father settled on a ranch near Elreno, OK, which he homesteaded during the 1892 Cherokee land rush. Robert's father built a home, half dug-out and half logs, and then sent for his wife and seven children. Four more children were born in Oklahoma making a total of six boys and five girls. Robert attended country school until he completed 8th grade, later attending high school at Thomas, OK, six miles from his home. He later attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, IL, where he studied banking and general business.

Robert worked at several businesses before retirement. He worked as cashier of the Butler State Bank in Butler, OK for eight years and served as City Treasurer of Butler, OK. He was later employed at Bunge's Tire and Rubber in Elgin, IL for 15 years before World War II when he joined the ship yards at Seneca, IL. After the war he was a member of Batavia, IL Furnas Electric Co.

Robert had several hobbies. His retirement home was on the Fox River in South Elgin, IL where he could enjoy his two favorite hobbies: fishing and boating. Another favorite was woodworking.

Robert died in an auto accident as he was preparing to visit his brother Walter who lived in Louisiana. His daughter (Sybil) wrote that September 25, 1961 was one of the worst rains ever in one day. It was a Monday and on all Mondays since he retired, Robert drove the 4-5 miles from his home in South Elgin to Elgin, IL to file for compensation. He visited with Sybil at her work location for 5-10 minutes. He was concerned because the Fox river was so high and he feared his pier might float away. Sybil suggested he put heavy rocks on the pier and he left about 2:00 PM to do just that. He also mentioned that he hoped to use his new boat some more before it turned cold and he would be forced to take the boat and pier out of the water. The auto accident occurred on Rt. 31, a two lane state highway between the towns of Elgin and South Elgin, IL. As he was driving south, a car quite a ways in front of him had stopped to make a left hand turn, waiting for north bound traffic to clear. That car had his turn signal on, but Robert evidently did not see it or the car's brake lights in time. Robert slammed on his brakes and went into a skid on the wet pavement, hitting the rear of the car in front of him and swerved into the north bound lane where a north bound car hit him behind the driver's door. That caused the door to spring open and Robert was thrown out on his head. He died nearly 3 hours later at the hospital without regaining conciousness with his family in attendance.

Robert Ernest McBurney and Mary Agnes DuFree had the following children:

Sybil Vanderford

21 i. Sybil Mae⁴ McBurney was born in Butler, OK May 5, 1917. Sybil died November 21, 2010 in Elgin, IL, at 93 years of age. Her body was interred November 27, 2010 in Elgin, IL, Lakewood Memorial Park. She married Charles Homer Vanderford in Elgin, IL, February 26, 1939. Charles was born in Gladbrook, Tama County, IA January 15, 1917. Charles was the son of William Austin Vanderford and Rose Ernestine Miller. Charles died May 18, 1982 in Elgin, IL, at 65 years of age. His body was interred May 22, 1982 in Elgin, IL, Lakewood Memorial Park. (See Charles Homer Vanderford for the continuation of this line.) Sybil Vanderford's obituary:

Sybil M Vanderford (May 05, 1917 - November 21, 2010)

Sybil McBurney Vanderford, 93, of Elgin passed away Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Apostolic Christian Resthaven Nursing Home. She was born May 5, 1917 in Butler, Oklahoma the daughter of Robert and Mary DuFree McBurney. Sybil was a resident of Elgin most of her life, having graduated from Elgin High School in 1936 with honors in sewing and music. She was an avid oil painter and loved to needlepoint.

She was a member of First Baptist Church, Elgin for over 75 years, member of Friends of Judson, the Elgin Women’s Club and the Martha Circle of the American Baptist Women’s Association.

Surviving are her 5 children, Judith (William) Luscher of Park Falls, WI., Charles (Diane) Vanderford of the The Villages, FL., Penny (Charles) Mensik of West Dundee, Pamela Prickett of West Dundee and Gene (Sheila) Vanderford of Chicago. Grandchildren, Dana (Joseph) Hilgart, Peggi (Joseph) Pirelli, Terri and Jeff Luscher, Brian (Courtney) Luscher, Doug (Consuelo) Vanderford, Cara (Joshua) Good, Julie Mensik and Steve Mensik, Rebecca (Reza) Adhitiya, Pam Teran, Paul (Melissa) Prickett, Jennifer (Marc) Richmond, John, Peter, Bill Vanderford and Scott Theisen. 22 great grandchildren, Joseph and Douglas Potts, Angelina Pirelli, Melissa and Joshua Joiner, Kiley Luscher, Landry Luscher, Daniel Beisner, Matthew and Zacheria Hilgart, Dalton and Daphne Vanderford, Jonny and Greyson Good, Andrew Mensik, Madeline, Katie and Olivia Perez, Timothy and Jessica Teran, Megan and Laura Richmond, 4 great great granddaughters and many good friends from the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles in 1982, a granddaughter, Annette Beisner and 2 brothers, Robert and Gordon McBurney.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday November 27 at Laird Funeral Home, Elgin. Burial will be private in Lakewood Memorial Park, Elgin. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Apostolic Christian Resthaven Nursing Home. (www.lairdfamilyfuneralservices.com) or 847-741-8800.

+ 22 ii. Robert Pershing McBurney was born November 19, 1918.

Gordy McBurney

23 iii. Gordon Charles McBurney was born in Elgin, IL February 10, 1929. Gordon died April 26, 2009 in Sturgeon Bay, WI, at 80 years of age. He married twice. He married Viola M. Zimmerman in Elgin, IL, February 8, 1957. Viola was born in Elgin, IL December 4, 1921. Viola was the daughter of Frederick Zimmerman and Susie Zehr. Viola died May 13, 1985 in Elgin, IL, at 63 years of age. Her body was interred May 19, 1985 in Elgin, IL, Lakewood Memorial Cemetary. Viola had two sons from a previous marriage. Dean Mull was born January 12, 1944. Wayne Mull was born July 22, 1951. Viola died May 13, 1985 following heart surgery.

He married Maxine Totaro in Elgin, IL, June 28, 1986. Maxine died September 9, 2005 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Maxine died of cancer. Gordy died of liver and bladder cancer. Below is the obituary.

Gordon "Gordy" McBurney, 80 years, of Sturgeon Bay, formerly of Elgin, IL went to be with his Lord and Savior, late Sunday evening (April 26, 2009), at Door County Memorial Hospital in Sturgeon Bay. He was born February 10, 1929 in Elgin, IL the son of the late Robert E. and Mary A. (Dufree) McBurney. Gordy served his country in the U.S. Army for 6 years. On February 8, 1957 he married Viola Zimmerman. She preceded him in death on May 13, 1985. On June 24, 1986 he married Maxine Davis. She preceded him in death on September 9, 2005 in Sturgeon Bay. He enjoyed camping. Survivors include his four children, Dean (Alison) Mull, Wayne (Karen) Mull, Gina Mayberry, Jay (Kara) Totaro; nine grandchildren, Pete (Kahrin) Mull, Tom (Tonya) Mull, Amy (Sean) Johnson, Jilayne Chandler, Thomas Overton, Brittany Overton, Tony Overton, Gabriella Totaro, Adriana Totaro; and 10 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Sybil Vanderford. Preceding him in death were his two wives, and brother, Robert McBurney. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday (May 1, 2009) at Laird Funeral Home on State Street, in Elgin, IL with Pastor Brandon VanWyk of Penninsula Baptist Church officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the local VFW Post. Burial will be made at Lakewood Memorial Park in Elgin. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at Laird Funeral Home on 310 S. State Street, in Elgin and on Friday morning from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at 11:30 a.m.

Send email to preparer: charlie@vanderford.net

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