The Prophetstown Echo – December 6, 2005

Mary Eileen Burke

            Mary Eileen Burke, age 88, of 710 W. Lefevre Rd in Sterling, IL, died Monday, December 5, 2005, at her granddaughter, Donna Blaul’s home in Chippewa Falls, WI.

            Mrs. Burke was born on April 18, 197 in Harmon, IL; the daughter of Thomas H. and Mary E. (Leahy) Long.  She was united in marriage to John W. Burke on June 9, 1945 in at St. Flannen’s Catholic Church, Harmon, IL.  He preceded her in death on June 24, 1982.  She was a 1935 graduate of Community High School in Sterling, IL, and in 1937 graduated with a teaching degree from Northern Illinois University and in 1968 she received a BS from Pestalozzi Froebel Teachers College in Chicago.  She was an elementary school teacher in Harmon, Walnut, Deer Grove, and Tampico schools for over 30 years.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling and was a board member of Catholic Social Services in Sterling.  She was a member of the Retired Teacher’s Association and the Deer Grove Ladies Club.

            She is survived by three sons, Richard Burke of Santa Rosa, CA, Thomas Burke of Dallas, TX, John Burke of Osceola, IN; three daughters Lillian Burke of Rock Falls, IL, Mary Blaul of Rochester, MN, Cathy Cebra of Elkhart, IN, 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

            She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, Norbert, Emmett, Edward, and Richard and one sister Helen Goldie.

            Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling with Rev. Paul White, pastor officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Tampico.  Visitation will be held on Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.  Rosary will be recited at 7:45 p.m. on Friday evening.  A memorial has been established in her memory to Catholic Social Services and Sterling Newman High School in lieu of flowers.  Arrangements were completed by the Garland Funeral Home in Tampico.