Curtis C. Burklow

Curtis C. Burklow, of Harrisburg IL, died at 6:30am Wednesday, January 14, 2026.at Spring Creek Rehab Center. He was born August 17, 1930, to Clifford C. and Bessie Lee (Yates) Burklow who preceded him in death. Curt was married to Marilyn Mae (Thompson) Burklow on September 20, 1953, who preceded him in death.
 
Mr. Burklow graduated from Harrisburg High School and attended Murray State University prior to enlisting in the US Navy. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in music education from Southern Illinois University. There he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity. He was a veteran of the Korean War in the United States Naval Air Service. He was a member of the “Forty and Eight” and the American Legion.
 
He was an instrumental music teacher for 56 years, including service at Southern Illinois University, Southeastern Illinois College, Decatur School System, Galatin County and Eldorado District schools, with 46 years as Band Director in the Harrisburg School System.  He maintained a studio and taught private lessons for many, many years.
 
Mr. Burklow was a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), a former officer of the Illinois Grade School Music Association, and a member of American Band Masters. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, Illinois.
 
He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Lynn (Burklow) Black and husband Randall of Murray, KY, his son, Bradley Curtis Burklow and wife DeeAnna of Paducah, KY, and six grandchildren, Megan Black (Michael Belcher), Bradley Black (Emily), Madison Traylor (Jackson), Morgan Carrigan (Kane), Austin Burklow, and Amanda Burklow. He also had three great grandchildren, Laurelin Belcher, Graham Traylor, and Brooks Carrigan.
 
A celebration of Curtis’s life will be held at Harrisburg First United Methodist Church Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation being held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. before the service at the church`.
 
The family requests memorial contributions be designated for Murray State University’s Curtis and Marilyn Thompson Burklow Piano Scholarship, Murray State Office of Development, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, Kentucky 42071 with checks made payable to the MSU Foundation or the Music Ministry of Harrisburg First United Methodist Church, 122 W Poplar Street, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 in lieu of flowers.
 
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com
 
J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.