Emily Jean Schoen Burrell, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Bowling Green, Kentucky with her seven children at her side on Sunday, January 20, 2019. She was born on December 26, 1928 in Hamtramck, Michigan to Norman and Lydia (Reppenhagen) Schoen. Emily graduated from Redford High School (Michigan) and went on to attend Heidelberg University (Ohio) and Michigan State Normal College, where she studied English and Foreign Languages.
On September 24, 1949, she married James Keast Burrell and, together, they had three sons and five daughters. Emily spent her earlier years raising their big family and later started businesses with her husband in Kentucky. She loved to read, play cards with friends and family, and travel, especially to the central Atlantic coast of Florida.
But she was happiest when spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — baking and cooking for them, visiting with them, and watching them play sports and sing or perform at church or school. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and her home was always full of children — her own and their friends. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Ypsilanti, Michigan and, more recently, the State Street United Methodist Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
She belonged to PEO, both in Michigan and Kentucky. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, James Keast Burrell; infant son, James Keast Burrell, Jr.; parents, Norman and Lydia Schoen; and sister, Dorothy Schoen Kriete. She is survived by her children: Paul M. Burrell, II, (Joan) of Franklin, Kentucky; Gail Ann Burrell Gerry (Lawrence) of Jupiter, Florida; Linda Lee Burrell of Nashville, Tennessee; Lori Jane Burrell of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Thomas Robert Burrell (Kathy) of Lexington, Kentucky; Robin Sue Burrell of Franklin, Tennessee; and Terri Lynn Burrell Campeau (Steve) of Brighton, Michigan; sixteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Marie Schoen Michael of Saline, Michigan; two nieces and four nephews; and some dear friends.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. at Highland Cemetery, 943 N. River Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan, with a luncheon reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Center for Living and Learning, P.O. Box 50272, Nashville, TN, 37205 (www.
centerforlivingandlearning.com) “Children are the only form of immortality that we can be sure of”.
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