Sylvia Buikema, 97, of Pleasant View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Morrison, IL, formerly of Albany, IL, died Friday, October 25, 2013, at the Center.
Sylvia was born July 21, 1916, in Albany, IL, to William D. and Laura V. (Sanders) Burns. She was educated in the Albany Grade School and was a junior year graduate of Albany High School and a senior year graduate of Morrison High School. She attended Rock Island Business College in Rock Island, IL. Sylvia married David R. Buikema on September 3, 1937, in Clinton, IA. He died April 21, 1999. Sylvia was employed in the Albany Telephone office as an operator and Potter-Hanson Insurance office as Office Manager. She was also employed at Fidelity Life Association in Fulton, IL, and as a billing clerk for the Village of Albany, retiring in 1982. Sylvia was a member of the Albany United Methodist Church and the church’s Charity and Friendly Circles. She served as Sunday School teacher, Choir Director, and chairperson of the Building Committee. She also served on other various church committees and offices. She enjoyed making plastic canvas decorations, reading, and watching Christian movies. Sylvia enjoyed spending time and fellowship with family and friends.
Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn (Gary) Gooch of Albany and Mrs. Wanda Naftzger of Layton, UT; seven grandchildren, Jill (Mike) Hesse, Dan (Kim) Gooch, Darrell Gooch, Jody (Kevin) VenHuizen, Rick (Debbie) Naftzger, Mark (Gail) Naftzger, and Loren (Sondra) Naftzger; 16 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Norma Naftzger of Phoenix, AZ, and one brother, Harold “Bud” Burns of Albany.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David; one son-in-law, Richard Naftzger; one grandson, Terry Wayne Gooch; one sister, Alice Wray; two brothers, Richard Burns and William Burns in infancy.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2013, at the Albany United Methodist Church, Albany, IL
CO-OFFICIATING: Rev. Melody Williams, Pastor of Albany United Methodist
Church, Albany, IL and Robert Douglas
VISITATION: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 27, 2013, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Lusk Memorial Cemetery, Albany, IL
MEMORIALS: Albany United Methodist Church and the Albany Ambulance Service