Published on September 4, 2025 4:55 pm
Last Updated on September 4, 2025 4:55 pm
Rosalee “Rose” Willis Burgess. Age 90, formerly of Edgewood, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 8, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois, with Graveside Service immediately after with interment at Edgewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the Alzheimer’s Association or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.pagelfuneralhome.com.
Rosalee was born on July 4, 1935 to Otto Willis and Lottie Smith Willis. She married her husband Leroy Burgess on January 22, 1959 at the Louisville Methodist Church in Louisville, Illinois. She was a member of the Edgewood Christian Church for many years, where she loved singing in the choir and serving in the Angels group. She especially loved singing with her sister, Phyllis. She also enjoyed spending time volunteering with the American Cancer Society.
Rose is survived by her daughter, Pam Barak (Richard) of Louisville, Kentucky; as well as her three grandchildren, Brandon Barak (Analyn), Kaley Barak, and Matthew Barak; and two great-grandchildren, Kade and Harvie Mae.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Burgess; parents, Otto and Lottie Willis; brothers, Aden Willis, Dillard Willis, Richard Willis, and Herman Willis; sisters, Marzella Petersen, Velma Daniels, Genelle Hillyer Tucker, and Phyllis Danks.