Burke, Charles William 1934-2013

BURKE, MCGARRY, LANIGAN, SOUKUP, CONNELL, STEFFEN, GOHLMANN

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 1/10/2014 at 15:03:09

Mr. Charles W. Burke, 79, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Thursday evening, December 5, 2013, at Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island, Illinois.

Charles William Burke was born February 5, 1934, in Clinton, Iowa, to Stephen Francis and Mary Marguerite (McGarry) Burke. He was a 1951 graduate of Elwood High School and was a 1955 graduate of St. Ambrose College. Charles served his country in the Army. On June 4, 1960, he was united in marriage to Joan E. Lanigan at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lost Nation, Iowa. The couple farmed at rural DeWitt for many years. Charlie worked as Treasurer at McCarthy Improvement Company in Davenport, Iowa for over 30 years until retirement.

Church and spiritual life, followed by family life had a high priority for Charlie. He was a devout and longtime member, lector, and Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt. Charlie was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was instrumental in establishing KGYS (Know God Your Savior) Catholic Radio of DeWitt and was a passionate supporter of Right For Life. Charlie was involved in many community activities over the years. He loved attending and supporting his children and grandchildren’s activities.

Surviving are his loving wife of 53 years, Joan; children and their spouses, Cathy and Al Soukup of Fairfax, Iowa, Dan and Karen Burke of DeWitt, Dave and Susan Burke of Bettendorf, Iowa, Larry and LynnAnn Burke of Coto de Caza, California; grandchildren, Marc, Greg and Aimee Soukup, Michael, Emily, Ryan, Matt and Crystal Burke, Katie, Brian, Maggie and Kevin Burke, Madeline, Connor and Elizabeth Burke; a brother, Ramon Burke of Elwood, Iowa; sisters, Marian (Al) Connell of Welton, Iowa, and Karen (Florian) Steffen of Maquoketa, Iowa; nieces and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Ann "Peggy" Burke, his parents, a sister-in-law, Crystal Burke and a brother-in-law, JC Gohlmann.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2013, with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 2:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2013, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt. Burial and military rites will follow in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to St. Joseph School, St. Joseph Education Foundation or KGYS Radio.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com