Loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully with his wife at his side in their home on March 13, 2020. He was 91 years old. Gene was born on December 19, 1928 to the late Opal (Withers) and Harold Burchfield in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He graduated from Urbana High School in 1946 and received an electrical engineering certificate from the School of Technology in Ohio. He proudly served in the United States Army from June, 1946 to May, 1949 and was then redrafted in October 1950. Gene married Nancy MacGregor on October 22, 1955 in Springfield, Ohio. He worked at Saginaw Steering Gear as a tool room foreman for around 28 years. Gene was also a 50 year member of The Grand Commandery of the Knights of Templar and was a longtime member of Ascension Lutheran Church. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife and watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Gene was also very interested in astronomy and enjoyed looking at the stars with his telescopes.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Nancy Burchfield; two children and their spouses, Karla (Ron) Peters of Traverse City, MI, Darrell (Stacey) Burchfield; Burlington, IA, and a son, Perry Burchfield, who predeceased him in 2013; a daughter-in-law, Ellen Burchfield; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings.
A private funeral service will take place. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Ascension Lutheran Church of Thomas Township.