Jess Lurnis Burwell, 85, of Paxton, formerly of Urbana passed away at 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Accolade Health Care of Paxton Senior Living Center.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory in Urbana.

Jess was born in Urbana on October 23, 1933 to parents Lurnis and Rosetta (Stonebreaker) Burwell, they preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his sister Wanda.

On June 19, 1954 Jess married Donna Jean Shepherd in a rose garden at her parents' home in Urbana. They were just four days shy of their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary when Jess passed away.

He is survived by his wife Donna and their children; Steven Burwell (Carol) of Urbana, Julie Stout of Champaign and Tom Burwell (Kelly) of Urbana. Six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild also survive him.

Jess attended Urbana High School; he was employed by the University of Illinois as a construction worker for thirty years before retiring.

He liked fishing, hunting and country living.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Jess' honor to the American Heart Association.