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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Gene Burwell, who passed away on November
424, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell was born in Beason to Kenneth and
6Iona Burwell in 1935; he graduated from Beason High School in
71953 and served in the U.S. Army; he married Karen Benters on
8September 27, 1966; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell started his career as a carpenter and
10tradesman in Beason and Lincoln; he worked a second job as a
11gas station attendant in Lincoln; when the owner retired, he
12purchased the station; in 1958, he incorporated Burwell Oil
13Service; over the next 30 years, he built the business into 21
14GB Oil convenience stores, a truck stop, the Lincoln Steak 'n
15Shake, and numerous other businesses until its sale in 2002; he
16was a distributor for Phillips Petroleum for over 40 years; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell was active in real estate
18development, and he was especially proud of the efforts to
19develop Lincoln's west side; he took a special pride in
20supporting community organizations in Lincoln and Logan
21County; he served on the board of directors for the State Bank
22of Lincoln from 1987 to 1996 and on the board of the Illinois

 

 

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1Petroleum Marketers Association from 1996 to 2002; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell had a passion for anything involving
3an internal combustion engine; he enjoyed cars, boats,
4airplanes, and any other thing that was built for speed; he
5collected various cars and boats over the years, and many of
6his happiest moments were spent with friends and family
7attending NASCAR races, boat races, and auto shows; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell enjoyed telling a story and reading
9and sharing what he read with his friends; he was charming,
10witty, and most definitely an extrovert; he cared deeply about
11his friends and took pride in mentoring many younger men and
12women in their careers; he and his wife attended Zion Lutheran
13Church in Lincoln; they built their dream house in Four
14Seasons, Missouri in 1997, and they enjoyed years of visits
15there with family and friends; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell was preceded in death by his parents;
17his sister, Elaine Butler; and his nephew, Kevin Lessen; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Gene Burwell is survived by his wife of 54 years,
19Karen; his daughters, Tami (Brian) Klink and Toni Burwell (Greg
20Purviance); his sons, Eric (Karin) and Curt (Christine)
21Burwell; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and
22numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Gene Burwell and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
4friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Gene Burwell as an expression of our
7deepest sympathy.