Attaullah Bhurgri

Attaullah Bhurgri, age 89, passed away August 19, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held on August 28, 2021 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Sherry Stevenson of Crossbridge Community Church officiating. Visitation will be from 10am-Noon, followed by funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Atta was born January 12, 1932, in Pakistan, the son of Qadir Bukhsh and Amina Bhurgri. He married Zohra Violet Bhurgri on January 10, 1958, in Pakistan. She preceded him in death on January 2nd, 2011. Atta is survived by his children, Sydney Bhurgri, Stan Bhurgri, and Sheba Howell; and nine grandchildren of eight boys and one girl.

Atta grew up learning to farm from his father and continued farming his entire life in Jamesabad, Pakistan. He farmed crops of sugar cane, wheat, and cotton, as well as fruits such as chikoo (sapodilla/naseberry) and mangos. He moved to America in 2014 to live with his son, Stan, and his family Naila, Rohail, Sarah, Shaun, and Asher.

While living in America, his farming roots were evident. He enjoyed going to the market to pick out produce, relished seeing deer in the backyard, as well as admired the crops on the many drives to the suburbs. He always kept up with Pakistani news on his iPad and satellite TV. Atta found the most joy spending time with his family and grandkids, laughing at their broken Urdu. He, and his contagious smile, will be dearly missed.