Belvidere, ILClarence Alexander Burnett, 83, of Belvidere, IL, died peacefully Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at his home in Belvidere. Clarence was born February 4, 1929 in Chicago, IL to Clarence Sr. and Violet (Miller) Burnett.Clarence graduated from Belvidere High School in 1947 and joined the US Army in January 1951. He served in the Korean War as a Sergeant First Class. Clarence was awarded three Purple Hearts and two oak leaf clusters for sustaining three separate injuries while participating in the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.After his honorable discharge in October of 1952, Clarence began work for the Barber-Coleman Company, where he would meet his wife of 56 years, Carolyn M. (Storey) Burnett. Clarence would then go on to work for Broadway Builders and Pearson Plumbing and Heating Company.Clarence loved fishing, especially time he spent in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and the Canadian Lakes.He is survived by his wife Carolyn, sons Michael, Curtis, Charles, David and daughter Cynthia; grandchildren, Jason, Nathan, Sabrina, Thomas, Jacob, Livia (James Bane), Jordin, Korynn, Ashlee, Eric, Hallie and Maiyha; great-grandchildren, Carter, and twins Violet and Garrett. He was preceded in death by his parents and his dear sister Florence (and Howard) Jordan. Clarence is truly a hometown hero and forever now in our hearts.

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