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George M. Burke, 95, Woodstock

George M. Burke, age 95, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, in Woodstock, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born June 1, 1920, to George F. and Anna L. (McGuire) Burke in Woodstock. 

On May 22, 1946, he married Dolores E. Wagner in Volo.

A graduate of St. Mary High School, he was the last surviving member of the class of 1938. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945 in the South Pacific. From 1950 until his retirement in 1994, he was an auto salesman with Hurley Motors, Woodstock.

He was a charter member of VFW Post 5040 and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 776, where he served as Grand Knight. He also served as a District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife; five children, Patrick (Wendy) Burke, William (Joan) Burke, Mary (Henry) Sugden, Monica (Richard) Hess and Richard (Leslie) Burke; 14 grandchildren, Daniel (Aimee) Burke, Shane (Sara) Burke, Joseph (Heather) Burke, Erin (Travis) Slepcevich, Katrina Burke, Henry Sugden, Elizabeth Sugden, Mary Frances Sugden, Garrett Hess, Allison Hess, Michael Burke, Mary Kate Burke, Eileen Burke and Anna Burke; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Rosemary Rainwater, Mendota; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard; six sisters, Margaret O’Rourke, JoAnn Maas, Mary Miller, Alice Burke, Eileen Burke and Ruth Burke; a son, John Burke; a daughter, Joanne Verkin; a grandson, Timothy Burke; and a granddaughter, Brigid Verkin Buzzard.

Visitation was Dec. 27, at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. The funeral Mass was Dec. 28 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Woodstock.

 

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