CREVE COEUR ~ Clayton Lee “CL” Burger, 64, of Creve Coeur, passed away at 11:54 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2017 in Morton.

He was born May 20, 1953 in Pekin to Carl E. and Ruth Viola (Tyler) Burger. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are his finance’, Ann Eads of Bloomington; one sister, Suellen Marie (Owen Lee, Jr.) Sowers of East Peoria; one nephew, Reid Owen (Yanira) Sowers of Lynchburg, VA and three grandnieces and grandnephews, Judith, Lyann and Owen Joel.

CL had served in the U.S. Army in Fort Campbell, KY as a helicopter mechanic.

He had worked as a pilot for 20 plus years, that included giving aerial tours of the Grand Canyon. He had also worked for the Village of Creve Coeur for seven years and as a bus driver for the sports teams at Illinois Central College. The last three years, CL was the owner/operator of Eye of the Hawk Photography & Videography.

CL was a member of the Sea Plane Association.

A very loving, caring and patient man, CL had a heart of gold. He loved animals, loved to laugh and always had a good story to share.

He was a member of Bethel United Memorial Church of Christ in Creve Coeur.

His memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017 at his church. Pastor Dwight Borden will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin. Military rites will be provided by Military Funeral Honors and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur.

Memorial contributions may be given to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Ln., Pekin, IL 61554.