Mary Louise Burke
March 26, 1929 — May 29, 2005
Mary was born March 26, 1929, at Eureka, Kansas to Warren and Lois (Rimmer) Willis and departed from this life, May 29, 2005, at the age of 76, at her home. Mary attended Eureka schools, graduating from high school in three years and took one year of nurses training. She was very influential getting physical therapy at Greenwood County Hospital and later being employed there. Mary held many retirement and birthday parties at the hospital, which she truly enjoyed, and all the decorating. She absolutely adored traveling and fishing with her husband, Mike. They traveled extensively, and remain friends with many folks they met along the way. She also made numerous crochet pieces and was very active in the Christian Church until a heart attack in 1978. She was a former clinician at the original Basham Clinic on Main Street. Mary held a 50-year membership in the Queen Bess Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mary was a very professional individual.
Mary married Paul H. Riley, on November 29, 1943 and it was later dissolved. She married Michael J. Burke, on April 7, 1979.
Mary is survived by her husband, Mike, whom was her caregiver for the past eight years; sister & brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Smith of Bedford, Texas; an adopted son, Michael Riley of Hawaii; two step-sons, Kelly Burke of Davis, Oklahoma; and Tim Burke of Hamilton, Kansas; four grandchildren; and one step-grandson; two nieces, Judy Westerman, of Waco, Texas; and Kathy Senkel, of Georgetown, Texas; and one nephew, Larry Smith of Arlington, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M., Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Greenwood Cemetery, with Pastor Fred Jordan of the Christian & Congregational Church officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives from 1 – 2 P.M., on Wednesday, preceding the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Greenwood County Home Health & Hospice, or the Greenwood County Hospital.
Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Mary married Paul H. Riley, on November 29, 1943 and it was later dissolved. She married Michael J. Burke, on April 7, 1979.
Mary is survived by her husband, Mike, whom was her caregiver for the past eight years; sister & brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Smith of Bedford, Texas; an adopted son, Michael Riley of Hawaii; two step-sons, Kelly Burke of Davis, Oklahoma; and Tim Burke of Hamilton, Kansas; four grandchildren; and one step-grandson; two nieces, Judy Westerman, of Waco, Texas; and Kathy Senkel, of Georgetown, Texas; and one nephew, Larry Smith of Arlington, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M., Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Greenwood Cemetery, with Pastor Fred Jordan of the Christian & Congregational Church officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives from 1 – 2 P.M., on Wednesday, preceding the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Greenwood County Home Health & Hospice, or the Greenwood County Hospital.
Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
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