Burl D. Tillery

Burl D. Tillery, 80, of Rich Hill, Mo., passed away Oct. 28, 2011, in Butler, Mo. Burl was one of seven children born to Lawrence and Celestia Mae (Rees) Tillery. He was born Dec. 13, 1930, in Johnstown, Mo.

He graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1949 and was united in marriage to Betty Marie Goins in Fairland, Okla., on Nov. 24, 1953. To this union, four sons were born that Burl was very proud of. He was a self-employed carpenter who also farmed and raised livestock. He liked being outdoors, gardening and spending time with his family. He enjoyed working with wood and was able to make or fix just about anything. Their dog, Molly, was also special to Burl.

Burl was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Linda Kay Tillery and Orvene Hursh; two brothers, Fay and Ivan Tillery; and one grandson, Brian Tillery. Burl is survived by his wife, Betty, and children, Jim and Cheryl Tillery, Ken and Karen Tillery, all of Rich Hill, Mo., Howard and Brenda Tillery of Butler, Mo., and Bill and Joyce Tillery of Amoret, Mo.; grandchildren, Zac Morris, Jenny Dade, Katie Cornelius, Kaycie Tillery, Will, Waylon, Matt Tillery, and Kayla Swarens; and seven great-grandchildren, Daniel and Hope Morris, Kelly and Brody Dade, Andrew Cornelius, Brian Tillery and Wyatt Swarens.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., today, Nov. 1, at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, with James Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Rich Hill.