Burnell J. Petry

Burnell J. "The Sugar Creek Wanderer" Petry, age 93 of Highland, IL, died Wednesday, July 05, 2017, at his residence in Highland, IL. He was born November 29, 1923, in Highland, IL, the son John D. and Olinda E. (nee Carrillon) Petry. On July 31, 1948, he married Mary Frances Grimmer at St. Paul Church-Highland, IL. She passed away on September 06, 2015. He was a member of Saint Paul Catholic Church. He was also a member of Holy Name Society of the church (Secretary for one year); Life Member VFW 5694 (Quartermaster 2 years) and American Legion 439; Life Member Highland Pistol and Rifle Club (8 years Secretary); Life Member of NRA; Helvetia Sharpshooters; Knights of Columbus Honorary 3rd Degree Member Council 1580 - Highland; Boy Scouts of America - Assistant Scout Master, Explorer Advisor, Neighborhood Commissioner, District Chair of Highland and Bond County (Kickapoo District), Merit Badge Advisor. Burnell attended Quincy College for 2 years, and then St. Louis University where he earned a BS in Commerce and Finance in 1950. He joined the US Army during WWII, serving with the 63rd Combat Engineers, He had tours of duty in the European Theater. He was commissioned as Captain in US Air Force Reserves after 15 years of service. He worked for Aeronautical Charting for 27 years and retired from US Mapping Agency in January 1980. Burnell had written a column call "Sugar Creek Wanderer" over 25 years. It started in the Highland News Leader and continues in the Shopper Review. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing, gardening. He taught Hunter Safety Education Classes at Highland Pistol & Rifle Club. Survivors include : Son - Thomas L. Petry, Vandalia, IL Daughter - Susan M. (Thomas) Miller, Fountaintown, IN Son - Donald J. (Significant Other Loretta Gebhart)Petry, Beckemeyer, IL Son - Mark A. Petry, Highland, IL Grandchild - Amy L. (Billy) Thorpe, Millstadt, IL Grandchild - Chrissy L. (Pat) Henning, New Douglas, IL Grandchild - Alecia R. (Tevis) Hughes, Post Falls , ID Grandchild - Jeffrey A. (Significant Other Rebecca Modera) Miller, Pleasant View , IN Great Grandchild - Austin William Henning, New Douglas, IL Great Grandchild - Timber Steven Thorpe, Millstadt, IL Great Grandchild - Sierra Rose Henning, New Douglas, IL He was preceded in death by : Father - John D. Petry - Died 10/21/1968 Mother - Olinda E. Petry nee Carrillon - Died 10/24/1994 Wife - Mary F. Petry, nee Grimmer - Died 9/6/2015 Brother - Linus Leo Petry - Died at 6 months of age 7/05/1935 Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, July 10, 2017, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Memorial Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL., with Rev. Father Pat G. Jakel,o fficiating. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul School Educational Foundation; Masses at St. Paul Catholic Church; Father Richard Potthast or U M Veterinary Oncology Support Fund.

Burnell J. Petry

November 29, 1923 - July 5, 2017