Eldon L. Burkett

Eldon L. “Dink” Burkett, 85, of Streator passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at O.S.F. St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at St. Mary’s Church, Wenona. The Franciscan Friars of the church and Msgr. Brian Brownsey will concelebrate the mass.

Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Monday, June 4, 2018 at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. A prayer service will be at 6:45 P.M. Additional visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 9:45 A.M. Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator.

Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Lostant. Cremation rites have been accorded. Honorary pallbearers will be Eldon’s grandchildren. 3rd Degree members of the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council # 790 will serve as honorary pallbearers. Full military rites will be accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492.

Born September 28, 1932 in Streator he was the son of William and Reba (Gwaltney) Burkett. He married Wilma J. Moore on June 8, 1957 at St. Anthony Church, Streator. She is surviving in Streator.

He is also survived by daughters, Gina (Lawrence) McCormick of Grand Ridge and Angela (Paul) Flynn of Seneca; sons, Jerome Burkett of Bloomington and Jeffrey (Margaret “Molly”) Burkett of Westfield, Indiana; grandchildren, Alicia (Drew) Richardson of Streator, Tyler McCormick of Monticello, New York, Monica Burkett of Westfield, Indiana, Nicole Burkett of Westfield, Indiana, Hunter Flynn of Seneca and Holden Flynn of Seneca; great grandchildren, Van Richardson and Killian McCormick.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Ann in infancy; a sister, Bonnie Stinar and a brother, William “Bud” Burkett Jr.

Born and raised in Streator he attended local grade schools and Streator High School.

He served in the United States Navy from 1950-1953 during the Korean conflict. He was stationed aboard the USS Missouri with 2 Korean Cruises. His final rank was Petty Officer Third Class. For the last 18 years he attended the annual reunions for the USS Missouri that are held across the country.

He worked for Streator Brick for 45 years retiring in 1998. After his retirement he worked for the Streator Times Press (The Times) as a motor route carrier until his death.

Eldon was an active member of the Streator Moose Lodge and volunteered coordinating their bingos on Wednesday nights. He also worked bingos at St. Anthony School, Streator Eagles Club and the American Legion through the years.

He was a member of the former St. Anthony Church and currently belonged to St. Mary’s Church in Wenona. Through the years he was a member of the Streator Eagles Club, Streator Moose Lodge, VFW Post 1492, Lazy Acres Sportsmen’s Club and the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council # 790.

Eldon enjoyed spending time with his family and taking road trips with them and his wife, Wilma. He also enjoyed fishing, his pets and gardening. He will be sadly missed by his loving family.

Memorials may be directed to St.Mary’s Church, Wenona or Pet Project, Marseilles.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

To send flowers to the family in memory of Eldon Burkett, please visit our flower store.

Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Monday June 4th, 2018

4:00pm - 7:00pm

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Mary's Church

Tuesday June 5th, 2018

10:30am

207 W 3rd S St
Wenona, IL 61377

Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Tuesday June 5th, 2018

9:00pm - 9:45am

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eldon L. Burkett, please visit our floral store.