- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1941
- Date Of Death: January 23, 2013
- State: Illinois
Ronald L. “Ronnie” Burrus, 71, of rural Jacksonville, IL died Wednesday evening, January 23, 2013, at Walker Nursing Home in Virginia, IL following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born June 29, 1941, in Jacksonville, the son of Clifford and Frances Maddox Burrus. He married Lenabelle Thompson on September 26, 1964, in Literberry, IL and she survives.
He is also survived by two sons, Brian Burrus (wife, Laura) of Arenzville and Gregg Burrus (wife, Missy) of Jacksonville; five grandchildren, Jacob, Matthew, and Anna Burrus of Arenzville and Chloe and Claire Burrus of Jacksonville; two sisters, Barbara Ring (husband, Charles) of Virginia and Beverly Halstenberg (husband, Roy) of Chapin; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A 1959 graduate of Arenzville High School, Ronnie attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for two years prior to his two years of service with the US Army. He returned to the area to begin his farming career which spanned almost 50 years in Morgan and Cass County. Ronnie was a progressive farmer who implemented many new ideas, especially in the area of soil conservation and no-till farming practice. In addition, he has served as a Burrus Seed dealer for almost 50 years. He was a life-long member of the Virginia United Methodist and held memberships in Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau and Arenzville American Legion Post #604.
A caring and kind person, Ronnie will long be remembered as a thoughtful mentor, a loyal friend, and a devoted big brother. He will be missed by a loving family and a grateful community, but his greatest legacy will be his grandchildren whom he considered his greatest treasure.
