Birdie Burton, 96, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away on February 15, 2026, at the Villas of Hollybrook.
She was born on October 27, 1929, in Buchanan, Tennessee. She was the daughter of John and Ellen (Chandler) Groom. She married Thomas D. Burton on May 9, 1948, in Logan, Illinois.
Birdie was a people person and she loved everyone, a giver of herself. She did many years of mission work at her church, Heartland Worship, where she was a lifelong member.
She worked as a hostess at Hogg Heaven and always had a smile and a greeting for everyone entering the doors. She was a member of Wabash General Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, and she always helped out at the Senior Citizens Center cooking, cleaning and whatever needed to be done. Birdie was known as the Ambassador at Hollybrook and the official greeter. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
Birdie is survived by her children: Larry (Debbie) Burton of Union, Kentucky, Thomas Burton of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Steven (Leann) Burton of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, John (Jennifer) Burton of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Brenda Burton of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Chuck (Sandy) Burton, Jenny (Ben) Horgan, Joe Burton, Josh Burton, Matthew (Anne) Burton, Melissa Burton, Alan Burton, Ashley (Jason) Calhoun and great-grandchildren: Ari Burton, Briella Burton, Rachael Horgan, Duke Burton, Sadie Burton, Van Calhoun, Vince Calhoun, and Violette Calhoun.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Thomas, three brothers: Brent Groom, Revo Groom, Clint Groom, two sisters: Lorene McDonald, Dorothy Miller; grandson, Chris Burton, and daughter-in-law Sondra Burton.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 4-7:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Heartland Worship Center with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Burial will follow the service at Douglas Cemetery in Broughton, Illinois.
Memorial contributions for Birdie can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home and Heartland Worship Center.
Condolences for Birdie may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com.
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Burton family.
