John J. "Jack" Burke

John J. “Jack” Burke, 79, of Manheim, died peacefully surrounded by his family, on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Moravian Manor, Lititz. Born in Albany, N.Y., he was the son of the late John J. and Mary E. O’Connor Burke. Jack was the loving husband of Sarah K. “Sally” Keenan Burke and they observed their 53rd wedding anniversary in August of last year. Jack retired from Agway Inc. where he was the feed plant manager at their Manheim location; previously, he was employed for G.L.F. in Albany, N.Y. the home company of Agway Inc. In his early years he worked for Cargill Inc. in Albany. Following retirement he was employed by Physician Support Systems, Mount Joy. Jack served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was an active and faithful member of St. Richard Catholic Church, Manheim, and served on the church council and ushered at the church. Jack also was active in his community and served on Manheim Borough Council and was a member of the Manheim Lions Club. His interests included: spending time in the outdoors, and at the beach, golfing, and rooting for the New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Jack had a life-long passion for his family, and enjoyed activities with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his wife, are three daughters: Katherine M. Downs of Maytown, Jacqueline A. Burke-McGinnis wife of Daniel McGinnis of Lansdowne, Ontario, Canada, Cynthia M. wife of Scott Rathkey of Lititz, a son, John J. Burke IV husband of Melinda Ludwig Burke of Manheim, four grandchildren: Brandon Rathkey, Katelyn Rathkey, Ethan Burke, Alexa Burke, two sisters: Mary Margaret wife of Theodore Cillis of Latham, N.Y., and Joanne wife of John Leonard of Clifton Park, N.Y.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Richard Catholic Church, 110 North Oak Street, Manheim, with the Reverend Father Francis T. Menei as Celebrant on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Ruhl’s United Methodist Cemetery, Rapho Township. A public viewing will be held at the Buch Funeral Home 21 Market Square, Manheim, on Tuesday evening from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. There will be a Christian Prayer Service on Tuesday evening at 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Additional viewing will be held at the church on Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be sent in Jack’s memory to: Alzheimer’s Association 3544 North Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or Moravian Manor Retirement Community Benevolent Care Fund 300 West Lemon Street, Lititz, PA 17543.