Gertrude T. "Gertie" Burford, 89 of Teutopolis, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Willowbrook Memory Care in Effingham, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the church with an 8:00 p.m. parish wake service. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Gertrude was born December 23, 1925, in Effingham, the youngest daughter of Clem and Mary (Funneman) Willenborg. She married James B. "Jim" Burford on November 14, 1953, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham and he survives. Gertrude was the devoted mother of five children and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis. She worked for Drs. Sehy and Jones for many years until her retirement. Gertrude was very strong in her faith, was extremely loyal to her family, and endless in her love for the Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, relatives and neighbors. Her quick wit always brought smiles to those around her.

Gertrude is survived by her devoted husband of almost 62 years, Jim of Teutopolis; four children, Marialice (Gerson) Castillo of Washington, D.C., John of Teutopolis, Jeanna (Greg) Hook of Effingham and Sarah (Jeff) Hoene of Teutopolis; nine grandchildren, MaryAnn Eperiam of Kolonia, Pohnpei, Emirano Eperiam of Chicago, Marenson Eperiam of Kansas City, KS, Emerald (Josephine) Eperiam of Kolonia, Pohnpei, Taylor (Lauren) Hook of Charleston, SC, Blake Hoene of Teutopolis, Faith Hook of Effingham, Jasenia Castillo of Peru and Gerson Castillo of St. Louis, MO; three great-grandchildren, Elijah, Zeki and Zoe Eperiam.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Phillip; son-in-law, Emensio Eperiam; brothers, Sylvester "Check" and Clem Willenborg; sisters, Hilda Doedtman, Marcella "Kack" Willenborg and Madeline "Maddie" Willenborg; brothers-in-law, Edward Doedtman, Lawrence, Thomas and Bernard Burford; father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Lorraine Burford.