James Willard Burke

James Willard Burke, son of the late Thomas and Maggie (Searcy) Burke, was born May 7, 1923, in Commerce Oklahoma, and passed away June 9, 2019, in Springfield, Missouri. He was 96 years, 1 month, and 2 days of age.

Jim grew up and attended school in Salem, Missouri. After school, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, and then he enlisted in the United States Army in February of 1943 and served in World War II. He served in artillery in the battle of Aleutian Islands, and then he was shipped to Australia, China, Burma, and India before the war ended. Jim was also awarded the Bronze Star for the Aleutian Islands campaign. He was last assigned as Military Police, and his last rank was a Corporal.

After his time in the military, Jim married Minnie Mae Whitaker on June 1, 1946 in Seattle, Washington. Three children were born to this union: Sharon, Larry, and Shirley. They raised their family in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Jim worked for Al Baker as an appliance repairman. He took over the business when Al retired and named it Burke Appliance Repair, and retired after more than 50 years of service to the community.

Jim enjoyed hunting and he also trained hunting dogs. He especially loved to go fishing. He and Minnie also liked to travel and took many trips together. Jim was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Burke, one daughter, Shirley Ann Fraker, one grandson, Tigh Kriegel, three brothers, Kenneth Burke, Roy Burke, and Paul Burke, and one sister, Ella Christianson.

Jim is survived by one son, Larry Burke, of Springfield, Missouri, one daughter, Sharon Sue Kriegel and her husband, Joe, of Newton, Iowa, son-in-law, Scott Fraker, three grandchildren, Stacy Kriegel, Carol Taschner and her husband, James, and Zach Fraker, three great-grandchildren, C.J. Faulstich and his wife, Kristie, Allie Taschner, and Brittany Taschner, one great-great-granddaughter, Jackie Faulstich, four sisters, Ruby Mickleson, Mildred Perry, Goldie Williams, and Susie Welch, and other friends and extended family who will miss him.