Cecil Ray Burger

Services for Cecil Ray Burger, 89, of Smithville, were held Saturday, Jan. 26 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with burial at DeKalb Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Dr. John Carpenter officiated.

 Mr. Burger died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2012 at NHC Healthcare in Smithville.

 A member of Smithville First United Methodist Church, Mr. Burger was a construction worker, long-time city employee and was former Smithville Mayor and Alderman.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Willie Sowells Burger and his wife, Wilma Jo Burger. Survivors include four children, David (Kyoko) Burger of Japan, Gereda Burger of Massachusetts, Pamela (Danny) Poss of Smithville and Anthony (Tammie) Burger of Smithville; five grandchildren, Nancy Burger, Simon and wife, Emi Burger, Erica Burger, Nicole Burger and Zach Poss; a great-grandson, Braxton; a sister, Sudie Vickers of Liberty; and sister-in-law, Mildred (Howard) Harrell of Murfreesboro.

 The family asks that donations be made to the Smithville First United Methodist Church.

 Pallbearers were Nancy, Simon, Emi, Nicole and Erica Burger and Zack Poss.

 Honorary pallbearers were the Smithville Police Department, Smithville Fire Department, Burnance Vandergriff, John Alford and Holly Anderson.