Francis William (F.W.) Burdell, 97, died peacefully at his farm home north of Rio Grande, Saturday, January 27, 2007. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, on May 15, 1909, to the late David E. and Emma C. Forsburg Burdell who were Swedish immigrants. The family moved to Gallia Coutny in 1915 and still live on the same Raccoon Township farm where Francis farmed his entire life.
He attended Koontz one room school, Rio Grande High School, Rio Grande College, Ohio University and received his masters' degree from Ohio State University. For four years he taught in the Eagle one room school north of Tycoon Lake, one year at Yale Elementary School in Rio Grande, five years at Raccoon Township High School and thirty-four years at Rio Grande College.
His civic interests included: Boy Scout Leader, Master of a Subordinate Grande, Master of a Masonic Lodge, Lecturer of Pomona Grange, President of the Local Board of Education and the Gallia County Historical Society. He was a member of Harris Baptist Church and attended Calvary Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and church trustee.
He married Esta Vollborn in 1940 who preceded him in death in 1998. Four children were born to this marriage, Freda Louise, who died in infancy; Ernestine (Keith) Smith of Bidwell; Frederick Burdell and Lawrence (Judy) Burdell who are running the farm. He is survived by five grandchildren: Harold Burdell, Brad Burdell, Jill Breyfogle, David Burdell and Carita Montgomery; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, in the Calvary Baptist Church, Rio Grande, with Rev. Heath Jenkins and Rev. Luther Tracy officiating. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.
Friends may call at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Vinton, on Tuesday, 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. with Masonic Services at 8:00 P.M. conducted by the Vinton F & AM Lodge 161.
The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.
