Ernestine Burris

Danville - Ernestine "Ernie" Anita (Wahlfeldt) Burris 99, formerly of Danville, was born July 26, 1921 in Danville, IL to Ernest and Anna (Guth) Wahlfeldt, and was the oldest of eight children. She was baptized on 11 August 1921 then later confirmed on 14 April 1935 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville, IL. She left her home in Indianola, IL on Saturday 19, December 2020 when God called her to her heavenly home. Her parents preceded her in death.

Ernestine and Charles "Chuck" Joseph Burris were wed on September 23, 1939 at Immanuel. They were blessed with nearly 47 years of marriage until his death on September 8, 1986. Ernestine and Charles lovingly raised 5 children. Edwin Ernest Burris (Shirley) of Danville, Carla Jean Adkins (Melvin) (Carla deceased Nov 2007), Leslie Jo Ann Miller (Don) of Indianola, IL, Corporal Dennis Paul Burris USMC (Deceased December 2013) and Major Laura Ann Berry (Glenn) of Indianola, IL. Ernie and Chuck had 10 grandchildren: Debbie Gourard, Danville; Eddie Burris (Deceased 2020); Anita OMellon (Timothy) Youngstown OH; Rebecca Hopkins, Danville; Tammi Hinkle (Greg) Lebanon, IN; Charles Wade Branham, Lebanon, IN; Ryan Adkins (Nicole) Grand Island, FL; Jake Adkins (Christina), of Sheridan IN; Dan High (Jessa), Indianola, IL, and Kevin High (Connie Martin), Oakwood, IL. She also leaves behind several cherished natural and step grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren as well as dear nieces and nephews. Ernestine is survived by her youngest brother, Richard Wahlfeldt of Danville. Also preceding her in death are her brother Robert, sisters Dorothy Alexander, Martha Ann Wahlfeldt, Ruth Ellen Ashby (Ruth was her tenth birthday present), Norma Jean Holycross, and Evelyn Nolan as well as one stillborn great granddaughter and one great-great granddaughter.

Ernestine was once named Danvilles "Woman of the Year" for her community involvement. She will be remembered by many as a positive role model and influential Girl Scout Leader and Camp Director. Decades later, her "scouts" still recall many fond memories. After she and Charles joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville, she became an active member of the Eunice Society, volunteered in the church office and made copies for the teachers. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the then Lakeview Memorial Hospital in Danville. It was the perfect job for such a caring individual. After retirement she volunteered with her good friend Doris Westfall to restore the prairie at Forest Glen Preserve in Georgetown, IL. She loved to travel and visited such places as Switzerland, Southern Spain, the Rock of Gibraltar (where a monkey sat on her shoulder and stole her glasses), took a cruise through the Panama Canal, and rode on a hydroplane to Morocco.

She was so grateful for the Christmas Eve recitation she was given as a 10-year-old. Eighty-nine years later she still recited it. We hope she will recite it to Jesus on his birthday this year.

A Private Family Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Pastor Kent Tibben of Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate. A Public Graveside Committal Service will be held at 3:00 PM at Bethel Cemetery in Alvin, IL following services. A Public Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

It is kindly requested that those in attendance of the visitation or services wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Ernestine requests no flowers for her funeral, and memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or School in Danville, IL or according to individual preference.

The family would like to thank all those who remembered her with cards, phone calls and visits, and a special thanks to Pastor Tibben for home pastoral care, her last Holy Communion was on 15 December 2020. Also, thanks to Dr. B. Sodhi and his staff for their excellent care and to OSF Hospice staff for helping make the past 15 days peaceful and comfortable. Her Christmas recitation ends "Bless Momma and Poppa and all whom I love".

Please join Ernestines family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .