George Burpo

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU, Ill. -- George Herman Burpo, 63, of East Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at his home.

He was born Oct. 7, 1947, in Cairo, Ill., to James Aubrey "Dink" and Mardell Orene Cook Burpo.

He and Sharon Delane Baugher Shelton were married May 9, 1981, at Chaffee, Mo.

George served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War and received a Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He worked for Ingram Barge Co. at Columbus, Ky., as a dispatcher 25 years, retiring in 2010. He was of the Baptist belief.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Burpo of East Cape Girardeau; two sons, Chris Burpo of Blandville, Ky., Brian (DoraRena) Shelton of McClure, Ill.; one brother, James (Pat) Burpo of Bardwell, Ky.; one sister, Ann (Charlie) Wild of Gilbertsville, Ky.; four grandchildren, Wesley Burpo, Gunner and Gage Shelton, Joel (Melissa) Thomas; several nieces and nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Betty Jean Burpo.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Rocky Tallent officiating.

Military rites will be conducted at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes, Ill.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.