Mary Ruth Burcham

Mary Ruth Burcham, 89, of Palestine, IL, died at 7:00 a.m.Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at her residence. She was born October 30, 1921 in Lawrenceville, IL, the daughter of Guy McCoy Simmons and Ruby Painter Simmons. She was a bookkeeper for the General Telephone Company. She was a member of the Robinson First United Methodist Church; past member and president of Robinson BPW Club; a member of the Robinson American Legion Post #69 Auxiliary for over 50 years; a life member of the Altamont V. F. W. Post #7979 Auxiliary; Altamont Women€™s Club; Altamont Jr. Women€™s Club; Charisma Friendship Club; 23rd District President of Illinois Federation of Women€™s Club; served on the State Board and as Chairman of the Conservation Club; member of Martha of Eastern Star, Altamont; member and Worthy Guardian of Effingham White Shrine; Chairman of the American Cancer Society of Effingham and as such received a commendation from Governor Jim Thompson. She was one of two women to receive an award from the Altamont Chamber of Commerce. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.Mary married Marion €œMike€ Burcham on March 3, 1950 and he preceded her in death on January 29, 1986. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Geneva Selby; and her son-in-law, Steve Miller.She is survived by her 3 daughters, Phyllis McCammon, Palmdale, CA, Judy Adams, Palestine, and Sharon Miller, rural Palestine; 12 grandchildren and their spouses, Ron and Laurel Adams Jr., Tammi and Jason Wesner, Dana and Bob Locke, Susan and J. D. Trimble, Kristi and Scott Zane, Tony and Norma McCammon, Robin and Henry Moyobe, Ethan McCammon, Gina and Mike Kennedy, Aaron McCammon, Nancy and T O€™Grady, and Karen and Pete Saluvi; 26 great grandchildren; and 14 great great grandchildren.Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine, with Jane Drake officiating. Burial will be in the Arborcrest Memorial Cemetery, rural Effingham, IL at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will be held Saturday, September 17th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Palestine Public Library or to the Crawford County Relay for Life, with envelopes at the funeral home.