James Burke

CRYSTAL FALLS - James Edward Burke, 78, of 159 Burke Road in Crystal Falls, died Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette. He was born Sept. 1, 1930, in Iron River, son of the late Edward and Aldia (Liberty) Burke. He was a lifelong resident of this area and a member of Guardian Angels Church. Jim was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2891 and the American Legion Post 87. He married the former Helen Timm Heimerl on Jan. 1, 1970. He had worked for Odgers Drilling Co. for 12 years, Prentice Loaders in Iron River for 10 years, and the James River Mill for 12 years before retiring in 1985 due to health problems. Jim also owned and operated a farm in Iron River Township for many years. He had a love for horses and trained them and broke them over the years. Jim also loved to hunt, fish, and spend time at his camp with family and friends. He was life member of V.F.W. Post #2891. He is survived by his wife, Helen; five children, Randall (Rose) Heimerl of Palmer, Alaska, Sharon (Jeffery) Starks of Marinette, Wis., Bill Heimerl of Crystal Falls, Dale (Chrissie) Heimerl of Amasa, and Robert (Darlene) Heimerl of Merrill, Wis.; three brothers, Robert (Mary Ellen) Burke of Iron River, Edward Burke of Madison, Wis., and Alfred Burke of Florida; one sister, Mary Lee (Robert) Symmonds of Iron River; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, William Burke and one infant sister, Beverly Ann Burke. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Thursday at the Guardian Angels Church. The Eastside Veterans will do a pass and review at 11:45 a.m. at the church. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon at the Guardian Angels Church. Fr. Jeffrey Kurtz will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Randall, Bill, Dale, and Robert Heimerl, Martin Timm and Michael Burke. Military graveside services will be accorded by the Eastside Veterans Organization. Condolences to the family of James Burke may be expressed online at ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.