Robert Eugene "Gene" Burke, 66, of Pawnee, Illinois, died Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in Jacksonville. Gene was born July 4, 1950, in Springfield, the son of Kenneth Eugene and Lola May Smith Burke. He married Jo Ann Scharfenberg on Jan. 11, 2003, in Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents. Gene was a graduate of Pawnee High School's class of 1968. He was a member of the Pawnee Christian Church, where he served as an elder; was a member of the Illinois Chapter "T" and a former member of Pawnee Lions Club. He worked in sales and service for the propane industry for 45 years, including most recently at Prairieland FS. He also had served as a village of Pawnee trustee. Gene was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved camping and riding motorcycles. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Burke, of Pawnee; one son, Tim M. Burke, of Clinton; one daughter, Joni L. (husband, Joe) House, of Chatham; one stepson, John M. Fullington, of Carlinville; one stepdaughter, Lori J. (husband, Jeff) Brown, of Carlinville; nine grandchildren, Michael A. (wife, LeiLani) Harris, Brock M. Schuller, Kirsten R. Schuller, Tanner M. Burke, Tori L. Burke, Logan T. Fullington, Kody A. Brown, Jacob A. Brown and Lyla J. Brown; one greatgrandson, Leland A. Harris; one brother, Kenneth E. (wife, Dana) Burke Jr., of Pawnee; two sisters, Cathy L. Acree of Pawnee and R. Kay (husband, Lee) Tieche of Indiana; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Gene's family will meet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, at the Pawnee Christian Church, 1200 Rutledge St., Pawnee. An additional visitation will be held at 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 19, at the church with the Rev. Aaron Griffith officiating. Burial will be at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee. Memorials honoring Gene may be made to the Pawnee Christian Church or to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O. Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558.