Cecil R. Burford Jr.

Cecil Ray Burford Jr., age 82 of LaHarpe, Illinois died at 5:20 P.M. Tuesday December 30, 2008 in the Carthage Memorial Hospital.

He was born July 19, 1926 near Burnside, Illinois, the son of Cecil Ray and Ruby Hickman Burford. He married Madelyn Stabler on June 10, 1944 in Carthage. She preceded him in death on January 21, 1997.

Mr. Burford was an army veteran of World War II. He farmed all of his life in the Durham and Fountain Green Townships. He also worked in construction for several years. He was a member of the LaHarpe American Legion and the Laborers International Union Local # 231.

Survivors include one daughter - Susan Pfeiffer of Dallas City, Illinois, two sons- Edward (Barbara) Burford of LaHarpe, Matt (Kim) Burford of Fountain Green, IL., eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one sister - Deloris (Jim) Woodside of LaHarpe, and one half-brother - Dan (Janet) Burford of Niota, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his wife and two sisters- Pattsy Powelson and Idalene Link.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday January 3, 2009 in the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Robert Tillman officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the LaHarpe Cemetery. Friends may call after 2:00 P.M. Friday at Banks & Beals, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday. A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe-Davier Health Care Center.