In Rememberance of
Martin Gayle Burrus
December 20, 1920 - December 30, 2004
Williamson Funeral Home
Jacksonville, Illinois
217-243-1010

Martin Gayle Burrus, 84, of Arenzville, died Thursday, December 30, 2004, at his residence. He was born December 20, 1920, in his home, the son of Wilbur and Dora Kappal Burrus. Aside from time spent in college and later during World War II, he spent his entire life as an active member of the Arenzville community.Mr. Burrus married Jeanette Sullivan on May 19, 1945 and she preceded him in death on December 19, 1971. He later married Adelle Radi on March 22, 1980 at the Arenzville United Methodist Church, and she survives. He is also survived by one daughter, Rebecca Oliver of Jacksonville, two sons, Tom (wife, Marcy) Burrus and Todd (wife, Deb) Burrus, both of Arenzville; six grandchildren, Jamie (wife, Cara) Oliver, Lisa (husband, David) Beckman, Lori (husband, Tim) Greene, Gail (husband, Chad) Mitchell, Martha Burrus, and Kevin Burrus; four great-grandchildren, and one sister, Marilyn (husband, Richard) Lovekamp of Arenzville. He was preceded in death by one sister, Eileen Dannewitz.Mr. Burrus was a gifted student and was an active member of the 4-H program and was selected as a delegate to National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago in 1938. Following his graduation from Arenzville High School, Mr. Burrus enrolled in the University of Illinois, majoring in animal science. After two years at the university, Mr. Burrus left school to assist his family in the operation of their newly formed hybrid seed corn operation.In 1942 he was drafted and, upon completion of his aptitude tests, was transferred to Western Maryland College in Westminster, where he completed an engineering course. From there, he went to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for nine months to finish pre-medical school, before enrolling at Georgetown Medical School in Washington, D.C. He received three years of academic credit which was later transferable for a degree at the University of Illinois in 1946. He returned to his home after the service and, with the passing of his father, became co-owner of the Burrus Brothers Hybrid Seed Corn business and remained President for over sixty years.Mr. Burrus’ connection in the seed corn industry led to several advisory appointments at the University of Illinois. In 1964, he was honored by the College of Agriculture with an award of merit, given for “Outstanding Service to the College of Agriculture, to its Alumni, and to the Agriculture of the State of Illinois.” He was an active board member of the University of Illinois Ag Alumni Association. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Crop Improvement Association.Locally, Mr. Burrus served on the board of directors for Arenzville School District Unit #27, Passavant Area Hospital, Arenzville First National Bank, and was active in the local United Methodist church. He was an avid University of Illinois sports fan, and longtime season ticket holder.A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2005, at Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Arenzville North Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Arenzville United Methodist Church in Arenzville. Memorials are suggested to the Arenzville Fire and Rescue. The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com.