John Burke, age 64 of Helena

John Burke, 64, passed away April 4, 2016, at his home in Helena, Montana,  just 12 days after his brother, David, 63, died in Big Timber, Montana.

John was  born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 4, 1951.  He liked to tell people the fireworks were for him.  John grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia.  At age 13, the family was transferred to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he graduated from the infamous class of 1969.

John was a superb mechanic and worked at the Big Y  station near Fernan during high school.   He was in the Army and then attended classes at NIC. Later he was assistant manager at the IGA on Sherman until a spinal/back injury prevented him from furthering his career and left him permanently disabled, before he moved to Helena in the late ’80’s.

John was very articulate and could be very persuasive.  An avid reader, he had a bright mind and loved to pontificate about politics and current events with his friends.  He was compassionate to those in need, and liked to help people who had fallen on hard times.

Prior to his injury, John rode motorcycles, fished, hunted, & snowmobiled.  He was a devoted uncle to his nephew, Will.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Burke, in 2007.

He is survived by his father, Frank Burke, and his wife, Adele, of Port Richey, Florida; his two sisters, Patti & Cindy Burke of Helena, Montana; niece Heather Vargas-Lyon and her husband, Jorge, of Seattle; and his nephew, Will Lyon, and his wife, Amelia, of San Mateo, California.

Rest in peace, dear brother.

A remembrance coffee for John will be held in Coeur d’Alene.

Service Schedule

Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.

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