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BORN
1931
DIED
2021
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Gene Burry Obituary
Funeral services will be at noon, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Garrison Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed at the funeral home by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Guard.
Gene Allen Burry was born July 12, 1931 in Fort Wayne, IN, the son of Clarence and Gwendola Copp Burry. Gene grew up and attended school in Fort Wayne, IN. From 1948 to 1953, during the Korean Conflict, Gene served his country in the United States Navy. On May 3, 1952 he married Lenora Simmonds in Atlantic City, NJ. He received his B.B.A. degree from Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, AL, his M.A. from Adams State College in Atlanta, GA, and his Masters of Divinity from the Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Gene's calling to the ministry guided him and his family to many congregations in many locations. He also served as a hospital chaplain and a guidance counselor during his career. Gene's passion was collecting rocks, minerals, fossils, and other specimens of God's creation.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lenora, of Waterloo; his five children, Deborah ( Stephen) Acree, Hickory, NC, Carol (David) Ulissi, Springtown TX, Sarah (Mike) Ivison, Kennedale, TX, Timothy (Eni) Burry, Ames, IA and Cheryl De Jesus, Waterloo, IA; sister, Sandra Goodwin Clopine, Springfield, MO; eleven grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Gwendola and grandchild, Thomas Ulissi.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Gene and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gene Burry
Sponsored by Van Steenhuyse - Teahen Funeral Home.
4 Entries
Fran Newsom
January 20, 2022
Pastor Gene and Lenora are always in my thoughts. They both were and always will be loved and cherished by me and my family.
Mike Ivison Jr
February 16, 2021
One year, Grandpa took me to Colorado during the summer to let me help him sell stuff during a rock show. One the drive there, we stayed at a hotel. In the morning, Grandpa always did a calisthenics routine with stretches, push-ups, etc. After that day, I started doing the same thing. To this day, I still do calisthenics all the time. I loved Grandpa, and he was a very positive influence on my life. Have fun in Heaven!
Jason Martinez
January 31, 2021
I met Gene back in 2009 when my wife and I moved next door to him and Lenora. I had always been somewhat of a rock hound but Gene showed me what collecting was all about. When I still lived there he would take me to some of his honey holes to hunt for Lake Superior agates and cold water agates. I’ll never forget carry him through the dense woods in vinton and getting chased by a heard of cows lol. Gene and I quickly became friends and I will always remember him as one of my best friends I’ve ever had. Until we meet again old friend.
Fran and Darrell Newsom
January 30, 2021
Dearest Lenora and family, our hearts are saddened to hear of your loss. We are keeping you in our prayers.
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