Michael James Burke

August 14, 1924 - March 16, 2017

Michael James Burke of Severy, died on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at the Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, at the age of 92. He was born on August 14, 1924 in Fall River township, Greenwood County, Kansas, the son of John and Muriel (Mundy) Burke. He was raised on the family farm east of Climax near the Ladd bridge on Fall River and attended local schools, graduating from Climax High School with the class of 1942. After his schooling, he went into partnership with his father in the steer business. The Burke Ranch switched to running cow/calf in 1951. In 1962, the ranch ran cattle for Oppenheimer Industries. Mike also did cattle inspections for Oppenheimer Industries in many other states. The Burke Ranch went back to grazing yearlings later in his life. In February 1951, he was united in marriage to Patricia Clogston. To this marriage, two sons were born, Kelly and Tim Burke. This marriage was later dissolved. In 1986, Mike went to work for A-Lert Corporation where he was known as Pappy to the employees. He worked 14 years before retiring in 2000 at the age of 76. Pappy worked at many locations throughout the country and was known as being the first to work and the last to leave. After retiring from A-Lert, he returned to working part time at the Burke Ranch, hunting and fishing with his grandchildren and friends, plus raising a garden and sharing the produce with his neighbors and family. On April 7, 1979, Mike was united in marriage to Mary (Willis) Riley. She preceded him in death on May 29, 2005. Throughout his life, Mike was an active member of the community, serving on the board of Rural Water District #1, the Severy and North Elk School Board, Severy Co-Op Board, and was a member of the Severy United Methodist Church and many other organizations throughout Greenwood County. He was also a member of Climax Masonic Lodge #411 of Climax. In 2016, he received his 70 year pin from the Lodge. He is survived by his children, Kelly and Marilyn Burke of Davis, Oklahoma; and Tim & Dana Burke of Eureka, Kansas. Papa will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren: Jimi & Glenn Bechtel of Eureka; Jasey & Sarah Burke of Eureka; Kelly Ryan & Alecia Burke of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Tayler & Brandon Thompson of Davis; Oklahoma; and his great-grandchildren: Charlotte Grace and Henry Michael Pfister, Ella Mae Burke, and Lucy Sinclaire Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother, Patrick Burke. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, March 20, 2017 at Koup Family Funeral Home, in Eureka. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation hours are set from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Sunday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to Climax Masonic Lodge #411 or to the Greenwood County Rodeo Association. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at koupfunerals.com