Burkley, Jay Bernard 1946-2011
BURKLEY, BROWN, ERNST, ZIMMERMAN, PAULSEN, BOOTS, HOLUB, TOUREENE, TURNER
Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 3/11/2011 at 12:07:19
Jay Bernard Burkley, 64, of Clinton, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center – North Campus.
Visitation will be 4 to 7p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at the Church of the Open Door.
Funeral services will be 10:30a.m., Thursday, March 10, 2011, at the Church of Open Door with Pastor Jim Machen officiating.
Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes is assisting the family.
Jay was born November 23, 1946, in Clinton, to Clinton and Bernardine (Brown) Burkley.
He graduated from Clinton High School in 1965. Jay graduated from Clinton Community College with a degree in Drafting and Engineering. He served in the US Army from 1968 to 1969, serving in the Vietnam War. He received the Purple Heart and the Silver War medallion. Jay married Charlene Ernst on May 29, 1998, in Clinton.
Jay loved his family and friends so much. He loved spending time with them and they also loved being with him. Jay’s wife, Charlene, was his best friend and the love of his life. Jay had a heart of gold. He woke up every morning asking himself the question, “What can I do today to make my wife’s life easier and better?” Jay lived his life so that those who didn’t know God would come to know God because they knew him. Jay loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jay is now in better hands and his family holds strong on the hope that they will see him again.
Jay enjoyed fishing, working in his garden and watching his grandchildren grow. He enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren and he loved to make them laugh and smile.
Jay will be missed by so many people and will never be forgotten. Jay was a fun-loving faithful man who had so many friends from all walks of life. Jay has touched so many lives. Those who knew Jay would agree that he was a wonderful man, a great friend, a loving husband, an amazing Father and a fun, caring Grandpa.
Jay was employed with Randall Foods, Carpetland and self-employed as a contractor. He was previously married to Donna Zimmerman. Together they owned the Gazebo Flowers. Jay was an avid and generous gardener, was a great cook and he loved to bird watch and fish. He was the past President of the Issac Walton League and was a member for 32 years. Jay taught hunter education for 45 years and was an active member of the Church of the Open Door.
Jay is survived by his wife, Charlene, 2 daughters, Christine (Michael) Paulsen, Clinton, Kimberly Boots, Cedar Rapids; 2 step-children, Scott Ernst of Clinton; Cherish Ernst, Clinton; 4 grandchildren, Mason Holub, Madison Holub, Morgan Boots, Aleigha Ernst; 2 sisters, Mary (Harold) Toureene, Fulton, IL; Ellen (Rodney) Turner, Lincoln, NE; 1 uncle, John Brown, Andover; and several nieces and nephews and his beloved pet, Maggie.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Online condolences can be viewed at: www.lemkefuneral.com
http://www.funeralplan2.com/lemkefuneralhomes/obits
Clinton Obituaries maintained by John Schulte.
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