Kathryn Pauline Burrell
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Kathryn Pauline Burrell, 93 of Avon, Indiana passed away on October 27, 2021. She was born June 25, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Edwin Coles and Eleanor Pauline (Niblock) Fulford. Kathryn worked much of her adult life from age 17 until she retired, all while raising her children throughout those years. She took on jobs of increasing responsibility and complexity without the benefit of a high school diploma in an era when most women did not work. Kathryn was hardworking, determined, self-taught, and a self-made individual, a trailblazer for her time. She was known to be quiet, but you couldn't let that fool you as she was full of grit and determination. Her family always came first and above all she was a caring, sweet lady that everyone loved. Kathryn's work career began in 1945 at the Hiram Walker Distillery in Peoria, Illinois in 1945, as an operator. It was this job where she met her future husband Russell Louis Burell, whom she married on May 4, 1946. She later took jobs in the Peoria area in payroll and bookkeeping for ABC, Budweiser and then Schierer's Dairy where she later retired from in 1981. Even with the challenges of a full-time workload she made the effort to be a loving and supportive mother and wife. She was always there for her children and they always knew they were loved. Kathryn was determined to finish her education she started, and she earned her GED in 1985 and then went out to work part-time as a bookkeeper for many more years. When she finally retired, she spent a lot of time with her children, and grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Kathryn enjoyed traveling and did a lot of shopping, she loved to shop! In 1990, she moved away from Peoria to follow her youngest son. In a span of 30 years her travels took her to Shreveport, Louisiana, Burlington, North Carolina, Terre Haute, Indiana and finally Avon, Indiana. She always stayed close to family and made good friends along the way, wherever she landed. Those who knew Kathryn would often describe her as an "awful sweet lady." She will be missed by all those who knew her. Kathryn is survived by her children, Fred (Marilyn) Burrell, Pamela Burrell, Russell (Nellie) Burell, her grandchildren, Kim (Mark) Gardner, Kenny Burrell, Becky (Josh) Halon, Sarah (Corey) Ruble, Callie Burrell, 9 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Louis Burrell, a great grandchild, Jason Ray Hurt and her siblings, Ruth (George) Kerth, Edwin (Mary) Fulford, Edith (Ted) Sookiasian, and Mae (Jim) Wade. Services will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 1 PM at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 7519 North Allen Road Peoria, Illinois with visitation there from 11AM until the service. Flanner Buchanan Decatur Township is handling the local arrangements with the help of Wright & Salmon Funeral Home in Peoria, Illinois. The family request that any memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. To sign her online guest registry and share a favorite story with her family you are encouraged to go to www.flannerbuchanan.com .