Ken Burdick

He was born November 10, 1938 to Merle and Helen (Jacobs) Burdick and raised in Peoria, he graduated from Woodruff High School and Bradley University. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Marcia “Mopsy” Mulally on November 12, 1960. She survives along with four children: Mike (Kathy) Burdick of Effingham, Illinois, Amy (Tim) Windsor of Peoria, Susan Burdick of Peoria, and Polly (Todd) Walcott of Lexington, Illinois. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Nate (Alyssa) Burdick, Ammon (Troy) Probst, Ben (Melissa) Burdick, Abby Burdick, Anna Windsor, Peter Windsor, Emma Windsor, Tessa (Michael) Zellar, Lillie (Will) Patton, Tate Walcott, nine great grandchildren, and one sister, Mary Hushaw.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Helen Burdick, one sister, Barb Azbill, and one brother-in-law, Denton Hushaw

Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Ken had plenty of possessions, but none were greater than the love of his family, and his daily faith in Jesus Christ his Lord. In fact, his greatest possession was that God possessed him through Baptism and His Word. He was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Peoria.

Ken worked in management with Caterpillar Tractor Company in multiple divisions, and retired after 40 years with Cat. For many years he used part of his vacation to take youth and adults, including his family, to Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wisconsin for a week of volunteering with precious people with intellectual disabilities. From the beginning of their marriage, Mopsy and Ken enjoyed the adventure of camping with their children. They would cram into an old canvas tent, going through all the highs and lows of camping. In the final four nights of his life on earth, Mopsy and those four children, and their spouses, camped on the floor around Ken’s bed at the Owens Hospice Home, remembering, laughing, praying, and giving thanks that by God’s grace we are better than we deserve.

Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria. Funeral Service will be Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the church, Pastor Chip Winter officiating. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

To learn more about Ken and to remember him, please join his family and friends for the visitation and funeral service. For a happy reunion in heaven, to quote Ken, “believe in God, and His Son Jesus Christ.” Christ is risen.

You may view Ken’s obituary online at www.woolsey-wilton.com