John Allen Burnett, 71, a retired railroad executive, was vice president of purchasing and materials for the Rock Island Railroad and was vice president of purchasing and stores for U.S. Steel Railroads.
A resident for the last 15 years of Lake Forest, he died Tuesday in Evanston Hospital.
His railroad career spanned more than 40 years and started in Pittsburgh, where he worked for U.S. Steel. He was made vice president of the steel company`s 13 railroads in 1961.
In that position, he was president of the Pittsburgh Railway Club and the Pittsburgh Traffic Club.
Mr. Burnett came to Chicago as director of purchasing for the Rock Island Railroad in 1965. He was chosen a vice president in 1974 and continued as part of Rock Island`s reorganization team after the railroad went bankrupt. He retired in 1981.
He was president of the Western Railway Club in 1972 and was listed in
”Who`s Who in Railroading” in 1977.
During World War II, he served in the armed forces in the Philippines.
Survivors include his wife, Roberta; two sons, John Jr. and Lockhart;
three daughters, Cynthia, Wendy Paulsen and Meredith Foster; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine St., Lake Forest.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Christ Church, Congregational, Routes 43 and 60, Lake Forest.
