Gilbert N. Burke
1933 – 2016
Rock Port, Missouri

Gilbert N. Burke, the son of Willis and Gwendolyn (Underwood) Burke was born November 12, 1933, in Rock Port, Missouri. He attended Rock Port area country schools and graduated from Rock Port High School in 1951. Gilbert attended the University of Nebraska for a short time before joining his father and brothers at Burke and Sons Lumber Company.

On July 20, 1953, Gilbert was united in marriage to Phyllis New at the Rock Port United Methodist Church. A chicken house on the family farm was converted into a home for the newlyweds.

On March 4, 1955, Gilbert entered the United States Army and served his country for two years. After receiving his honorable discharge on March 1, 1957, Gilbert and Phyllis returned to Rock Port where they raised two sons, Michael and Brad.

Gilbert continued his career with Burke and Sons. He was gifted in the design and construction of new homes, additions and any type of unique project their customers requested. He could “see” the end product before its design, which afforded him the opportunity to work hundreds of projects to their completion. Following his retirement in 1999, he and Phyllis began wintering in Arizona. In 2001, they made Chandler, Arizona their permanent home. Phyllis passed away March 11, 2006.

On April 14, 2007, Gilbert was united in marriage to Ann Schoonover at the First Lutheran Church in Rock Port. They made their home in Rock Port and also spent time in Chandler where Gilbert loved hiking in the mountains.

Gilbert loved spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed flying, watching birds, squirrels and etc. He could “fix” anything, and was continually in the middle of a project. In his recent years, Gilbert enjoyed coffee time at various local gathering places and ice cream at McDonald’s.

In April of 2015 Gilbert moved to Village Care Center, Maryville, Missouri, where he passed away March 12, 2016, at the age of 82.

Besides his parents and wife, Phyllis, Gilbert was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Reed Burke. Survivors include his wife, Ann, Rock Port; sons, Michael Burke, Maryville, and Brad Burke and his wife, Julie, Rock Port; grandchildren, Jesse Kendall and his wife, Michelle, Rock Port, Emily Burke, Kirksville, Missouri, and Katie Burke, Rock Port; and numerous step children, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 P.M., Saturday, March 19, 2016, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
There are no funeral services.
A private family inurnment will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Rock Port.
Memorials: Rock Port Nutrition Site or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington Street, Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.