Former Olney Man Drowns in Floodwaters

Larry D. Burgener, 40, a former Olney resident, drowned Sunday after his truck was swept away in quick-moving floodwaters.

Burgener’s body was discovered in Embarras River backwater south of Ste. Marie between 8 and 9 a.m. Sunday, said Jasper County Coroner Darrel Holland. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man had apparently left Robinson, where he lived, about midnight and was headed for the Olney area, Holland said. He may have been headed to his parents’ home. He was thought to be westbound on Yager Road (County Road 400E), which was covered by floodwaters.

“He apparently tried to cross and was swept away by the deep water,” said Holland. He said that road is commonly known as a flood hazard by locals. Barricades were up warning of the danger on both the east and west sides of the flooded area.

The road runs east off the Ste. Marie Road, about 10 miles south of Olney, to the Oblong Blacktop. It normally floods in a low spot west of the river between the bridge and the levy.

Burgener’s pickup washed into a field west of the Embarras. “It was deep,” Holland said of the back water. “His truck was almost completely submerged.” The body was discovered about 80 yards east of the truck by a resident of Ste. Marie area. It was lodged near a tree, otherwise it probably would have been swept down-river to Lawrenceville, Holland said.

“It is unknown at this time if he tried to swim to shore or what occurred,” said Holland.

The man who found the body apparently got a boat and some help from other locals to recover the body. “They went and got the body before it floated on down the river, which was smart thinking.” Said Holland, adding that he did not have their names.

The pickup was recovered about 11 a.m. by Jackson’s Towing Service of Newton. “We wanted to be sure no one was in it,” said Holland.

Others assisting at the scene were the Illinois State Police, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and the Jasper County Ambulance.

An inquest will be held, probably in about two weeks, when results of state toxicology tests are available. Holland said he could not speculate without test results whether alcohol, high speed or any other factors were involved.

Olney Daily Mail (IL) – Monday, November 16, 1992

Larry D. Burgener, 40, of Robinson, formerly of Olney, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1992, at the Yager Bridge southeast of Ste. Marie, in Jasper County.  Burial in Crest Haven Cemetery.

Mr. Burgener was born Jan. 17, 1952, in Olney, the son of Wayne and Dorothy (Hunley) Burgener. He married Lynn Powell Feb. 14, 1976 in Olney.

Mr. Burgener was owner and operator of Southside Liquor Store in Robinson. He was a member of Robinson Jaycees, the Loyal Order of Moose in Robinson and American Legion in Olney. He was a National Guard veteran.

Mr. Burgener is survived by his wife, Lynn Burgener of Robinson; one step-son, Jason Mink of St. Charles, Mo.; one daughter, Mrs. Dave (Sherrie) Seals of Fayetteville, N.C.; one brother, Don Burgener of Olney; parents, Wayne and Dorothy Burgener of Olney; one grandchild, Kelsie Nicole; grandmother, Opal French of Olney and several nieces and nephews.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)