John Henry Burke

John Henry Burke

Services for John Henry Burke, 78, were at 2:00 January 23 at the Bader Funeral Home, Lusk, with the Rev. Tom Strock officiating.

Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Niobrara Senior Center or Niobrara Ambulance Service. He died at the VA Hospital in Hot Springs, South Dakota on January 20 of a massive heart attack.

He was born in Harrison, Nebraska November 25, 1920 to John and Carrie (Geike) Burke. He was raised in the Whitman area and graduated from Lusk High School in 1938. He served in the Army's Armored Field Artillery from December 15, 1942 to October 21, 1945, with most of his time being spent in France and Germany.

He married Geneva Penfield on February 19, 1944 in Lusk. To this union was born three children. His life was spent working in and around the Lusk area with his last employment being at Crazy Charlie's Truck Stop. He was forced to retire after having suffered a stroke in November of 1983. He became a member of the First Baptist Church and was baptized May 2, 1993.

He is survived by his loving wife, Geneva; daughter Lorraine Anderson and her husband. Harvey of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; daughter Loretta Miller of Desert Center, California; son Steven (Stony) Burke of Houston, Texas; brother Donald of Casper; sister Edna Freeland of Lusk; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Bader Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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