Staff report
Memorial Health Services
LINCOLN – The Lincoln area lost a beloved member of the community when Gene Burwell, 85, passed away last November from COVID-19, but his family has honored his memory by continuing his legacy of helping others.
More than 100 donors gave a total of over $22,000 to the Gene Burwell Memorial Fund for COVID-19 Relief. As vaccinations became more readily available, the family chose to designate the funds specifically toward administration of the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital (ALMH).
While the vaccines are provided free of charge, the nonprofit hospital incurs costs related to staffing the vaccination clinics and administering the vaccines.
Dan Tackett
Gene Burwell’s theme song could have echoed the famous Sinatra tune’s message, “I did it my way,” according to a non-relative who considered himself to be the Lincoln man’s third son and viewed the Lincoln businessman as his second dad.
That man, Jay Jessen of Chatham, describes Gene Burwell as “bigger than life.” Sadly, that life came to an end on Nov. 24 at a hospital near Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. He was 85.
This column last week was a tribute to Mr. Burwell, as recalled by several friends. Those tributes continue today, as written by Jessen and two surviving sons.
The Courier
According to Gene Burwell’s obituary, “His was an extraordinary life …”
After listening to and reading memories about the man from friends and family, one could easily surmise “extraordinary” might be an understated adjective. When he died Nov. 24 at the age of 85, Gene Burwell left behind indelible marks on Lincoln, Logan County, his family and a wide circle of friends.
One good acquaintance remembers him as “genuine, generous, witty.” “Bigger than life,” another recalls.
One of his children describes his father as “a mix of Steve McQueen, Charlton Heston and John Wayne combined into a fun-seeking and supportive father.”