Larry Allen Burton

LARRY ALLEN BURTON, 79, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 5:53 am, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, after a long battle with cancer, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Illinois.

He was born to the late Forrest and Geraldine (nee Figg) Burton on August 3, 1946 in Danville, Illinois. Larry married Judith Gibbs on May 24, 1980 in Hoopeston, Illinois; she survives.

He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University, with a Bachelor’s degree in physical education, and later his Master’s degree from University of Illinois in education administration.

Larry spent his early working years in Milford, Illinois as a teacher and coach. He went on to become a high school principal in Waverly, Illinois. After several years, he moved on to State Farm Insurance Agency and became a 3rd generation agent. He had four years as a District Manager with the company, in the Quad City area, after which he returned to agency in Chester, Illinois.

He and his wife Judy worked side by side for 35 years building relationships and serving the community where they lived. He was a member of Chester Chamber of Commerce, Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and the Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris fellow of Rotary International. Larry was an avid outdoors man. He loved hunting and fishing with a special connection to fishing in Canada. He especially enjoyed the family fishing trips, driving or flying to remote lakes. It was his favorite time and place to enjoy life.

He also had a love for flying. He became a licensed pilot at an early age, had his own plane and enjoyed taking family and friends on short trips anytime the skies were clear. He had a sea plane and had fun landing on water, giving his passengers a thrill. He was devoted to his family.

Survivors:

   Wife: 

        Judith Burton Chester, IL

   3 Children: 

        Brandon Burton Fox Lake, IL

        Jennifer (Yancey) Danes Chatham, IL

        Sara Chandler Red Bud, IL

   1 Brother: 

        Ray (Carolyn) Burton Elmhurst, IL

   8 Grandchildren: 

        Adelle Burton (Shad Ortiz), Michaela (Mana) Anderson-Sasi, Devon (Skylar) Tudor, Ella Burton, Richard Burton, Paige Thomas, Thomas Burton and Alex Klingeman

   1 Great Grandchild: 

        Zofia Ortiz

   Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in Death by: Parents, 1 Brother – Dale Burton and 1 Son – Ryan Burton

Memorial Service: 

   11:00 am, Saturday, October 18, 2025

   Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Officiating: 

   Dr. Mike Fogerson

Inurnment: 

   Will be held at a later date

   Floral Hill Cemetery

   Hoopeston, Illinois

Visitation: 

   Saturday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am

   Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Ulman Foundation, 2118 E. Madison Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, www.ulmanfoundation.org