Gayle C. Burk

Gayle C. Burk (nee Zick), 84, of Lafayette, IN, passed away peacefully at home on August 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Born on September 20, 1941, in Thawville, IL, she was the beloved daughter of the late Leo and June (Sloan) Zick. Gayle was the devoted wife of the late Jewell V. Burk, Jr., with whom she shared 32 beautiful years of marriage before his passing on March 23, 1997.

Gayle dedicated her life to her family and her community. She was a loving and proud mother to Jewell V. “Jay” Burk III of Lafayette, IN; Paul Christian “Chris” Burk of Chicago, IL; and Tegwen Jane “Teg” (James P.) Conzemius of Deerfield, IL. One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother to Thomas “Tommy” Burk Conzemius, Kevin Sloan Conzemius, and Kathleen Zick Conzemius. She cherished the abundant time she spent guiding and supporting them through their formative years.

She is also survived by her three dear siblings, Gynell (Dave) Arends of Kewanee, IL; Spencer Zick of Bettendorf, IA; and Alicia (Bruce) Winter of Champaign, IL, alongside many extended family members, neighbors, and lifelong friends.

Throughout her years in Lafayette, Gayle was an enthusiastic and deeply active community member. She gave her time and talents to numerous organizations, including Tri Kappa and the United Way. She was a proud founding member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority (Gamma Iota Chapter) at Purdue University. Gayle also found great joy and camaraderie in her various bridge clubs, the Lafayette Pickwick Club, the Lafayette Women’s Thursday Club, and her charity knitting group. She was blessed with wonderful friends and colleagues, and her presence will be profoundly missed by the entire Lafayette community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gayle’s honor to the Saving tiny Hearts Society to support critical pediatric congenital heart defect research. Donations can be submitted online at www.savingtinyhearts.org or by mail at Saving tiny Hearts Society,1305 Busch Parkway, Buffalo Grove, IL 60143.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until time of Memorial Service at 12:00 pm (noon), Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909.
Interment will immediately follow at the Indiana Veterans Home Cemetery,3916 Soldiers Home Rd, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

A reception with light plates and beverages will follow the interment at 1810 Redwood Lane, Lafayette, IN 47909. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gayle’s life.