John Raymond Burk

John Raymond Burk, age 91, Atwood, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

He was born on June 13, 1928, on the family farm north of McDonald, KS, where he lived until his retirement years. He was the youngest child of John Stephen and Helena Anna (Deyle) Burk.

John attended Lone Tree Grade School, District 68. He graduated from McDonald High School in 1946. He attended college for one year at Kansas Wesleyan, where he enjoyed accounting. He then returned to the family farm. John and his brother, Arthur, started farming together in 1949.

He was married on October 14th, 1952, to Virginia (Virgie) Horinek at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, rural Atwood. To this union, six children were born: Daniel John, Diane Marie, twins John Carl and Joan Carol, Betty Ann, and Allan Gerard.

He was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church. He served two terms on the Parish Council and was a lector, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and a member of the Catholic Workman.

He served 26 years on the Kansas Electric Coop Board. He also served on the McDonald School Board, the Mayflower Telephone Board, the Burntwood Township Board, the Farm Bureau Policy Committee, and the Rural Fire Department District 3. He was also an ASC Precinct Committeeman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John S. and Helena A. (Deyle) Burk; siblings, Irene E. (Burk) and Oscar McKain, Gertrude H. (Burk) and Vernor Winslow, Edward Burk at birth; Elmer C. Burk and wife Agnes, and Arthur F. Burk.

He is survived by his wife Virgina M. Burk; sons, Daniel J. Burk of Denver, Colorado, John C. Burk of Jerome, Idaho; Allan G. Burk of Knoxville, Tennessee; daughters, Diane M. Sis of rural Atwood; Joan C. Cahoj of rural Atwood; and Betty A. Taylor of Atlanta; 18 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

A private family funeral service was held May 15, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Atwood. Father Joseph Asirvatham was in charge of the funeral Mass.

Memorials are suggested to the St. John Nepomucene Cemetery Fund, the McDonald Rural Fire Department, or the Salina Diocese Seminarian Fund in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences may be sent to: www.baalmannmortuary.com.