Vernon E. Burgener, 92, of Springfield passed away Friday, September 25, 2009, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village.

He was born May 19, 1917, in Olney, the son of George and Elnora Iaggi Burgener. He married Dorothea McWilliams on November 21, 1940.

Mr. Burgener was an educator for 31 years in Illinois high schools, supervised student teachers with the University of Illinois, was executive secretary of the Illinois FFA, and director of research for the State Department of Vocational Education. Upon retirement, he was Mid-West director of Technical Education Research Centers. He later operated Burgener's Estate Liquidators.

Mr. Burgener was a longtime member of Douglas Ave. United Methodist Church. He enjoyed bowling, doing crossword puzzles and collecting antiques.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years; three sons, Larry (Linda) Burgener of Glendale, Ariz., Steve (Sandy) Burgener of Paxton and Dennis (Patricia) Burgener of Chicago; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Maurice (Betty) Burgener of Elmhurst.

Published in State Journal-Register, The (Springfield, IL) - Sunday, September 27, 2009