Rev. A. Burrill passed away last Friday, July 21st., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Randal Moore with whom he and Mrs. Burrill had made their home for the past several months. Funeral services were conducted on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in Kingman, Kans., at the Methodist Church with the Wilmore pastor, Rev. Earl Livengood in charge, who used as his text, Rev. Burrill's favorite passage of scripture John 14:1-16.Three of his favorite songs, Rock of Ages, We'll Work Till Jesus Comes and Abide with Me, were sung by Maxine Barber of Wilmore and Marie Stead of Cunningham.
Acting pall bearers were C. B. Austin, E. D. Hubbard, Oscar Barber, A. V. Bigbee, W. E. Boles and T. J. Foree all of Wilmore. Honorary pall bearers were Frank Holladay, John Gorman, Charles Schooley, and Charles McPheaters.
Burial was made in the Kingman cemetery. A host of friends extend sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
Obituary Rev. Allen Burrill was born in East Boston, Mass., on Dec. 12, 1855 and departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Randall D. Moore near Madison, Kans., on July 21, 1939, at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 3 days. In his early boyhood he moved with his parents to Dubuque, Iowa, where he lived before coming to Kansas. In his early manhood he was converted and united with the Presbyterian church. He served as a missionary for the Presbyterian Board of missions and in this capacity came to Kansas.
He united with the United Brethren church soon after coming to Kansas and was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel.
He served as pastor in Kingman, Wellington, Sterling, Greensburg, Coldwater, Mulvane, Burns, Fairplay, Peabody, Turon, Lake City, and Coldwater Circuit. While pastor of these charges he gave generously of his ministry in neighboring charges.
He was a real pioneer in the organization of Sunday Schools throughout the newly settled parts of Southwest Kansas. He was a very successful evangelist holding meetings in Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. A number of churches erected under Rev. Burrill's leadership stand today as a memorial of his devotion to God, and his more than fifty years in the ministry.
On April 5, 1898 he was united in marriage to Miss Lilly Gorman of Kingman, Kans. She passed from this life in 1909.
In 1910 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Crawford of Peabody, Kans. In 1912 he transferred his membership to the Southwest Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church and moved to Wilmore, Kans., where he has continued to reside. He was active in the military until 1933. Since then his health has failed rapidly.
During the most active years of his life he was affiliated with the Modern Woodmen, I. O. O. F. and Masonic Lodge.
Since 1933 his happiness has come through the love and faithful care of his devoted wife, daughters and a host of friends.
His later years were free from suffering and he passed from this long life of service with calm and peaceful close, a true servant of God whose work is now ended.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Burrill of the home at Wilmore, Kans., his five daughters, Mrs. Ada Lansing of South Pasadena, Calif., Mrs. Anna Mae Bradshaw of Peabody, Kans., Mrs. Walter Holliday of Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Helen Barber of Wilmore, Kans., and Mrs. Martha Moore of Madison, Kans. An infant daughter, Grace Elizabeth, preceded him in death.
Also there survive seven grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Nettie King of Wichita, one brother, Benjamin Burrill of Oakland, Calif., and many relatives and friends.
Also see:
"Early Day Memories" by Alice (Eyerly) Ferrin, The Wilmore News, October 31, 1939.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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