Ed Burke, 79, of Lemont, died Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Mount Nittany Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
Born April 22, 1938 in Lilly, PA, he was a son of the late Clarence E. and Mary Grace “Betsy” Campagna Burke.
He married the former Bonita E. “Bunnie” Horner who survives in Lemont.
In addition to his wife he is survived by four children, Eddie (Donna) Burke of Spencer, MA, Beth Ann Cowfer of Osceola Mills, PA, Chris (Vickie) Burke of Tyrone, PA and Betsy (Gene) Brinkman of Bellefonte, PA; four siblings, Patricia (John) Goginsky, Donna (Harry) Tarzian, Clair Burke (Jean deceased) and Jackie (Steve) Sywensky; and six grandchildren, Todd, Tyler, Brianne, Ashley, Chance and Chase. As well as numerous nieces, nephews and the girls from Home Instead who were in the home daily.
Ed worked for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission for 35 years retiring in 1995.
He was a member of the VFW, Elks, Moose, the Patton Sportsmen‘s Club, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a lifelong member of the American Legion.
Ed was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping with his family, going for long rides in the woods, watching Penn State Football and going to gun raffles. He played on the Old Timers softball team, numerous bowling leagues and played golf.
As we all know Ed always gave his opinion, whether asked for it or not, and the one saying that has always held true was “I don’t want to, I don’t have to, and I’m not gonna.”
Visitation will be from 12-2 PM, Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 1034 Benner Pike, State College. A celebration life will follow and 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be in Centre County Memorial Park, followed by a remembrance celebration at the Centre Hall Lions Club.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Ed’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Kidney Association or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.