Donald L. Burke, 82, Fairfax, Missouri, died September 15, 2016, at his residence.
Donald Lee Burke was born August 29, 1934, on the farm near Fairfax, where he grew up. He was the youngest child of Ford and Zeta (Glaskin) Burke. He attended the Irish Grove School until the sixth grade when the family moved to town.
When Don was in the eighth grade, he met his future wife, Joyce Fletcher. In the spring of 1952, he graduated from Fairfax High School. Don and Joyce were married October 5, 1952, and were married almost 64 years. In 1953, their eldest daughter, Cynthia, was born, followed by Christopher, Rodney, and Jo donna. Don supported his family by farming north of Fairfax, then north of Craig until 1985. After that he worked driving a bulldozer and a truck.
Don began to study the Bible in 1970 and learned many bible truths that he enjoyed sharing with others in his ministry as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973 and enjoyed serving with the Tarkio congregation as an elder until his death.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Ford and Zeta Burke; his brothers, Richard, David and Ford Junior; sisters, Louise Seymour, Margaret Cox, and Patricia Noe; daughter-in-law, Willie Burke; grandson, Timothy Burke; and son-in-law, Philip Ritchie.
He is survived by his wife Joyce; children, Cynthia Hirter, Rodney Burke, Christopher Burke, and Jo donna Ritchie; and grandchildren, Rachel Shenkle, Stephen Burke, Tiffani Burke, Wyatt Burke, and Lydia Ritchie.
Services were held Monday, September 19, at Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax. Interment was at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Fairfax.
Memorials may be directed to Jehovah’s Witnesss, Tarkio, or to help with funeral expenses. All memorial donations may be sent to Schooler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 139, Fairfax, MO 64446. Services were under the direction of Schooler Funeral Home.