Robert Burke, Sr
Robert Burke, Sr., 92, of Lowell, Ohio, a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather , great great grand father and loving husband passed away peacefully 4:28pm, Sunday, October 18, 2015, at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
He was born July 21, 1923, in Lowell, a son of the late Joseph Harrison and Vesta Chandler Burke. He enjoyed listening to bluegrass and spending time with his family and friends. He had attended Lowell High School and was a life member of the Lowell American Legion Unit #750 where he had served as a past commander. He served in the US Army in WWII in Okinawa. He was a life member of VFW Post #5108 in Marietta. He served with the Decorated Unit Colored 477th Amphibian Truck Company. Robert had worked construction for Dunzweiller Construction in Zanesville, D.D. Bundy in Marietta and J.A. Schwenderman & Sons in Lowell. Robert was a lifetime farmer and was the sexton for Rainbow Cemetery for over 40 years. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. Bob will be best known to be sitting in his front yard watching traffic go by during good weather with his dog Spot, by his side. He enjoyed the volunteer fire department socials, dinners and family reunions.
In 1944, he married Ila Ida “Doc” Armstrong who preceded him in death on April 13, 2013 after 68 years.
Together they had 5 children who survive: Patricia Singer of Stafford, Wilma “Tina” Burke of Marietta, Wanda Hazelwood of Jacksonville, FL, Darlene (Harry) Ogletree of Marietta and Robert (Gwendolyn) Burke, Jr. of Trotwood, OH. He is also survived by grandchildren: Robin (Isaac) Holmes, Valerie (Roy) Kampmeier, Misty (Thomas) Mahefkey, Mischa (Roger) Singer-Smith, Corey Singer, Sara Hess, Robert (Liz) Burke, Amanda Burke, Crystal Mills, Philista Mills, Jasmine Mills, Micah Mills, Stephanie Adams and Denise Hatchett, 22 great grand children and one great, great granddaughter; 4 sisters, Ethel Rush, Eloise White, Betty Stewart and Shirley Norris and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, McKinley, Joseph and Donald; 3 sisters: Lillian Burke, Dorothy Payton and Mary Hughes; 2 sons-in-law Enos Singer and James Hazelwood, Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Friday, (Oct. 23rd ) at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery in Lowell. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8. Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor to either the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Dept. 102 Oak Grove Lane, Marietta, OH 45750 to the L-A Fire And Rescue, PO Box 406 Lowell, OH 45744.