Denise Lynn (Bagnarelli) Burton, born September 29, 1963 in Bristol Township, Pa., passed away Tuesday morning, April 8, 2025, at her home in O’Fallon, Ill., with her devoted husband of 43 years, Charles Burton Jr., at her side.
Denise was born to John and Mary Florence (Krumm) Bagnarelli, who raised Denise and her younger sister, Dolores (Bagnarelli) Samoni, in Croydon, Pa. Denise remained in Croydon until she married Charles on August 7, 1981 to begin her adventure as a loving wife and mother to her two children. As a military spouse, Denise made her home in Arizona, England, North Dakota, and Illinois. In these travels, she made innumerable friendships and touched many lives.
While in Grand Forks, N.D., Denise attended business school and began her career as legal secretary for Omdahl Law Office until she moved to O’Fallon, Ill., where she continued her legal work with Hartford. However, in 2013 Denise began her most important life’s work: being a grandma to her grandchildren, Brynn and Charlotte, who brought her immeasurable joy. We are forever grateful for each and every day Denise was able to spend with her precious granddaughters.
Denise was an adventurer at heart. In her lifetime she enjoyed an array of activities – bicycling, stray animal rescue, roller skating, horseback riding, trying new vegan recipes and kitchen gadgets, collecting cow figures and pictures, attending local theatre productions, and traveling to any beach, any time. Although she was taken from us too early, we find comfort in knowing that her life was full and filled with love.
Denise was preceded in death by her father John Bagnarelli, and her uncle, Richard “Richie” Bagnarelli.
She leaves behind her husband, Charles “Chuck” Burton, Jr., of O’Fallon, Ill., son Charles (Kristin) Burton, III of Elk River, Minn., daughter Heather Burton of Evansville, Ind., mother Mary Florence Bagnarelli of O’Fallon, Ill., sister Dolores (Pete) Samoni of Philadelphia; dear grandchildren Brynn and Charlotte Burton, and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A gathering to celebrate Denise’s life will be from 4–7 pm, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O’Fallon, Ill.
The Burton family is being served by Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill. Share Online condolences and view a photo tribute at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
