Johnnie William Burkhead

Johnnie William Burkhead (87) Fairview, IL

Johnnie Burkhead, two days short of his 88th birthday, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2020, at Red Oak Estates in Canton.

He was born on February 12, 1932 at his home in rural Perryville, KY, one of 13 children born to Steve and Myrtle (Yaste) Burkhead. He married Ruth Nadine Grieve on June 3rd, 1951 in London Mills.  She survives. 

Also surviving are his children, Debra Lynn (Allen) Lovell of rural Princeville and Bill (Deborah) Burkhead of rural Fairview and a brother, Raymond (Joan) Burkhead of Canton and a sister, Ruby Neff of Galesburg. 

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Cecil Burkhead.  R.H. Burkhead, Ed Burkhead, Bobby Burkhead, and infant S.B. Burkhead; and five sisters, Geneva Billings, Gladys Strevils, Nellie Perkins, JoAnn Frew, and Helen Burkhead.

Johnnie served in the U.S. Army from 1952 through 1955.  He worked for Caterpillar for 31 years putting special attachments on dozing equipment and farmed his parents’ farm with his brother Edward.  In retirement he farmed into his 80s for his High School friend, Elmer White.  He attended the First Christian Church in Canton and was a member of the Fairview American Legion. He was a handy man, building his own home with the help of a big family and enjoyed baseball as a Cardinal fan and coaching Midget League teams.  He served his Village as a Village Board Member and Volunteer Fireman. 

He also enjoyed boating, teaching many people to water ski and wintered in Texas for over 30 years.  He enjoyed bowling and helped on many family construction projects.  He also enjoyed going on the Greater Peoria Honor Flight in 2017 with brothers Cecil and Raymond, his son, and 3 nephews.

Services will be Saturday February 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton, where visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service a burial with military honors will be held on a later date at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Honor Flight or to First Christian Church in Canton.

To leave online condolences or to view Johnnie’s video tribute please visit, www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com