Dora L. Burtis

Dora L. Burtis, 84 of 1601 N. 8th Street Pekin passed away at 10:45 pm Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Pekin Hospital. Dora was born on April 28, 1924 in Caddo, OK to Augustus Washington and Ophelia (Laha) Sims. She married James L. Burtis on March 12, 1944 in Alexandria, LA. He died on May 2, 2003. Also preceding in death are one son, Ricky Joe, one son in law, Mike Thurm, three brothers Al, William and Warren Sims and two sisters, Alene Graham and Fern Sheridan. Surviving are: six daughters, Susan (and Bud) Zugehoer of Hebron, KY, Trudy K. Thurm of Mackinaw, IL, Theresa F. (and Robert) Duhs of Lake Camelot, IL, Pam (and Johnnie) Rogers of Pekin, Cynda (and Stan) Aron of Orlando, FL and Becky Burtis Blazevich of East Peoria, IL; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren; two brothers, Lloyd Sims of Caddo, OK and Glen Sims of Louisville, KY Dora worked for Hiram Walkers in Peoria. She then worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for twenty years. She then worked for Catholic Social Services for ten years. Dora is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She and her husband Jim served on a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Washinton D.C. from 1984 - 1986. She also served in the Women's Relief Society. She served as the Young Women's President and was awarded Recognition for Young Women's Camp. Dora was served on the Girl Scouts Board for over 57 years. She was a member of AARP and served as the Secretary. She was a member of Hiram Walker's Retirees and was active in the Women's Democratic Club.