John Burke

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- John Emmett Burke, 88, of Charleston died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015.

He was born Feb. 22, 1927, in Cape Girardeau to the late Emmett Taylor and Lena Jessie Burks Burke. On Nov. 23, 1950, he married Virginia Alice Cox, who survives of the home.

He had lived in Southeast Missouri his entire life. After graduating from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Bunker Hill during World War II. Following his discharge, he returned to Mississippi County and to farming with Burke Brothers. He was a lifelong member of United Methodist Church where he served in various capacities, and also served for many years on the Focus Bank board of directors. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed his winter home with friends and family in Sarasota, Florida.

Also surviving are four children, Katherine Len (Frank) Schoenleben of Munich, Germany, Stephen Thomas (Carol Jane) Burke of Charleston, Ann Maureen Burke Morgan of Denver and Timothy Alan (Michelle) Burke of Chesterfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his first-born son, John Emmett Burke Jr.; three brothers, Edmond Burke, the Rev. Robert Burke and Richard Burke; and six sisters, Martha Jackson, Louretta Giltz, Jessie Brown, Jeanne Logan, Sally Winchester and Patricia Brock.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Saturday at United Methodist Church in Charleston.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. The Rev. David Collum, pastor of the United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tom Brown, John Luther Winchester, Emmett Burke, James E. Burke, Robert Jackson, Richard Logan Jr., Greg Brock, Trel Brock, Tony Giltz, Johnny Champion and Ted Slaten.

Memorial contributions may be given to Susannah Wesley Learning Center, P.O. Box 249, East Prairie, MO 63845 or United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 351, Charleston, MO 63834.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.