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Burnell Heinecke - Family Memories

Burnell Heinecke grew up in Freeburg, Illinois, the son of a coal miner. He developed an interest in journalism while still in high school, and after serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended McKendree College, graduating in 1950 with an English degree. Shortly after that, Burnell began a very successful career as a Chicago Sun-Times reporter, serving for many years as the paper's Springfield bureau chief. Sadly, Burnell passed away before we had an opportunity to discuss his journalistic career, but we are please to present his colorful memories of a small town boy growing up in the coal country of southern Illinois.