Gordon K. Burwell

Gordon Keith Burwell was born June 25, 1929, the son of Louis and Alice (Pigg) Burwell. He entered eternal life May 13, 2024 joining his parents, his brothers Louis, Russell, and Gary, his sister Beverly, and his son in law Dennis Norem. 

He was a carpenter for a short time before joining Iowana Dairy Farms of Bettendorf, Iowa where he was salesman of the year twice.   He worked with the Teamster Union to organize seven dairies for better working conditions. He later worked for Frito-Lay in Beloit, Wisconsin, retiring after 20 years of service.

He played semi-pro baseball for the Moline Body Company and was proud to have played on the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa.  He also played semi-pro football for the Quad City Mohawks and was defensive captain the year no opponent scored a point against them. They won the championship in Dyke Stadium at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.  He coached football at St. Joseph’s Junior High School, Rock Island, Illinois.  He was an avid wrestling fan and was honored by the Delavan-Darien High School wrestlers for over 40 years of support.  He enjoyed golfing in his retirement years.  He was a member of the Tyrone Community Presbyterian Church in Fenton, Michigan.

He married Dorothy York on April 15, 1972.  She was the love of his life.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his sister Joanne, and his seven children Gordon Keith Jr (Shannon), Lyle, Hope (Baukje), David (Gloria), Julia Norem, Mary, and Rachel Perantoni (Greg).

He is also survived by 21 grandchildren: Sarah Huff, Gordon Keith Burwell III, Jacob Burwell, Emily Alderman, Jesse Burwell, Lydia Burwell, Adrienne Burwell, Lily Rose Burwell, Benjamin Burwell, Tyler Burwell, Sam Burwell, Magdalyn Burwell, Christopher Norem, Sarah Chomiak, Natalie Norem, Nathan Norem, Naomi Norem, Gabriella Orr, Roman Morongiello, Justin Perantoni and Brandon Perantoni.

Visitation will be held on June 1st, at 1:00pm at the Shiawassee Shores Retirement Community main clubhouse with a memorial service immediately following at 2:00pm.  An additional visitation will be held at the First Congregational UCC in Williams Bay WI where he was a member for many years on June 29th at 1:00pm, with services following at 2:00pm. 

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