Gene VanDyke Burrill

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, musician and biker Gene VanDyke Burrill, 61, died Oct. 13, 2010.

He was born Oct. 8, 1949. He graduated from West High School in Anchorage and Bellevue Community College in Washington. He worked at Mat-Su Regional Hospital for 12 years as a radiologic technologist.

He was a charter member and past officer with the Harley Owner’s Group, Mat-Su Chapter and loved riding his “hawgs” on Alaska’s highways.

Gene played drums for many bands over the years, including the long-running Johnny Collinsworth and the Country Capers, Highway 81 and most recently with Jerry Bostwick and The Bush Bandits.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly; sister, Nancy (Rex) Schloeman of Anchorage; children, Kohen (Katy) Burrill of Seattle, Everret Hamilton of the Valley, Marrissa Hamilton of the Valley, Nick Hedgcoth of California, and Kenny Trost and Zoey Newhouse of Palmer. He was also the proud grandpa of 10 grandchildren.

According to his wishes, a party of love and laughter celebrating his life is at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at Four Corners Lounge on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Palmer.

All are invited.