Kenneth E Burk
(May 12, 1923 – June 27, 2013)
Memorial graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2013 in Glenwood Cemetery (Lakeside Addition), Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Howard Sallee officiating. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville. Memorials may be given to Fourth Street United Methodist Church, Shelbyville or Shelby County Senior Center.
Mr. Burk was born on May 12, 1923 in Pana, IL, the son of Paul and Ollie Sarver Burk. He attended Victory School near Henton, IL before attending Sam Smith Grade School in rural Tower Hill, IL. He graduated from Westervelt High School in the Class of 1942. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserves during WW II as a pilot. Kenneth married Margaret T. Gillio on July 26, 1944. After returning home from the service, they moved to Shelbyville, IL. Kenneth began working as a police officer for the Illinois State Police. He then became a local building contractor, co-owning B & R Construction Company in Shelbyville. He served as the Construction Site Manager for Bunce Corporation of Chicago during the construction of the 1st Federal Savings & Loan and the 1st Trust Bank buildings both in Shelbyville. Kenneth was a Master Carpenter and a 50 year member of Carpenters Local Union #347 of Mattoon, IL. He retired in July of 1985. Kenny and Marge spent their winters in Okeechobee, FL from 1986-1997. He served on the Shelby County Fire Department and the Shelby County Rescue Squad for many years. He was a member of the Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, Roy Vanderpool American Legion Post #81 of Shelbyville and a 50 year member of Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 of Shelbyville, earning his Master Mason Degree.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret T. Burk; son, Larry A. Burk (Todd) of Shelbyville; sisters, Joan Wilson of Arizona and Betty Robbins (Bob) of Shelbyville; grandsons, Zane Zumbahlen (Tracy) of Brookfield, CT, Ryan Zumbahlen (Christy) of Indianapolis, IN and Weston Burk (Lindsey) of New Milford, CT; and great grandchildren, Joel and Zada Zumbahlen of Brookfield, CT and Liam Burk of New Milford, CT.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cheryl Burk Zumbahlen; son-in-law, Larry Zumbahlen; brother, Earl “Tip” Burk; sister-in-law, Lou Burk; and brother-in-law, Loren Wilson.