Otis W. Burgess, 87, died at 11:50 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2019 at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home.
He was born in Enfield Township, White County, Illinois on December 5, 1931, the son of Louis Franklin and Oma Ellen (Mayberry) Burgess.
Otis served his country with the United States Army, and for many years was employed as a shipyard foreman with National Marine. He then began working as a school bus driver for Jersey Community Unit School District #100. He was probably most known, and fondly remembered as a valuable and trusted mechanic, operating Otis's Garage out of his home on West Spruce Street in Jerseyville.
He married the former Roberta J. Hargrave on Jan. 15, 1955 in Batesville, Ms., and their 45 year marriage was blessed with many happy memories, prior to her death on Aug. 18, 2000.
Surviving are his daughter, Sandra Burgess of Chicago; two sisters, June Nash of Jerseyville and Wanda Schafer of Bowling Green, Ky.; a brother, Silas Burgess of Staunton; along with numerous loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Louis Burgess, Wayne Burgess and Lawrence Burgess.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday. His brother in law, Darrell Nash, will officiate.
He will be laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, with the Jerseyville American Legion Post #492 conducting military graveside rites.
Memorials may be given to either the Activity Department at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home or to the Jersey County Relay for Life.
