John Harold Burner

John Harold Burner, 75, of Robinson, IL, died at 10:50 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born on April 21, 1942, the son of Harold & Edith (Comer) Burner, whom both preceded him in death. He married Shirley Kay Corder on July 28, 1963, and she survives. He is also survived by his son & daughter-in-law, John S. & Kirsten Burner (Ventura, CA); by his daughter & son-in-law, Tammy & B.J. Fralicker (Palestine, IL); and by his grandchildren, Nick Halterman (Robinson, IL), Kiara Fralicker (Palestine, IL), and Sophia Burner (Ventura, CA); as well as a number of nieces and nephews. John was a 1960 graduate of Palestine High School, and went on to further his education at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. In 1962, he started working as a railroad engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, where he worked for 34 years before becoming the Assistant State Director for the United Transportation Union, before retiring in 2008. He was a man who truly enjoyed his work, as anyone who knew him could attest. In his free time, John could often be found on the water. In his younger days, he enjoyed water skiing. As he grew older, skiing turned to fishing, and this brought him so much joy through the years. He was also very active locally with the Boy Scouts. A former Eagle Scout himself, John was instrumental in starting the scout camp north of Palestine years ago. He was also active with girls’ softball for many years. Though John was many things to many people, he was first and foremost a family man. No one could doubt the love he had for his wife, children, and grandchildren, who have lost a friend, partner, and patriarch. John was a member of the Crawford County Bass Club and the Palestine High School Alumni Reunion Committee. A time of visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 26th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 27th at the funeral home, with burial following at Palestine Cemetery. Celebrant Curt Goodwine will be officiating the service. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis, IN.