William R. Burke

William “Bill” R. Burke, 91, of Lafayette, died at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, at Creasy Springs Health Campus.
He was born Aug. 21, 1920, in Terre Haute, and was the son of the late William and Mary Richards Burke. He graduated from Wiley High School, Terre Haute, in 1938 and attended Indiana State Teachers& College, Terre Haute Business College and Indiana University.
Mr. Burke enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 as an aviation cadet and trained as a bombardier and was injured and discharged. He reenlisted the same day in the Army and served in the European Theatre from 1943 to 1945 and was attached to the 100th Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force. He served in the Navy Reserves during the Korean War.
On Dec. 27, 1947, he married Lois Swihart in Kokomo, and she survives.
Mr. Burke was a sales representative for Crescent Paper Company for 30 years, retiring in August 1985. After retirement, he worked for Ace Hardware, Menards and Henriott Group in Lafayette.
He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church where he was an usher and assisted with bingo and the soup kitchen. He was a member of American Legion Post 11, Knights of Columbus Council 456 and was Grand Knight 1967-1968. He enjoyed softball, golf, fishing, hunting, reading books on World War II and playing the “”Stump Bucket”” musical instrument.
Surviving with his wife are four sons, Patrick J. Burke (wife: Sandra L.) of Lafayette, Michael W. Burke (wife: Kathleen) of West Lafayette, Dennis M. Burke (wife: Elayne) of Lady Lake, Fla., and Timothy J. Burke (wife: Kristine) of West Point; three daughters, Kathleen B. Schwartz (husband: Gary) of Indianpolis, Monica L. Mainard (husband: Michael) of Southlake, Texas, and Angela C. Miller (husband: Jason) of Murphy, Texas; and two sisters, Frances J. Dodd of Albuquerque and Mary Anne Battistini (husband: Larry) of Highland.
Also surviving 16 grandchildren.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Ann Catholic Church, Fr. Dominic Young officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery. Those wishing may contribute to the Matthew 25 Share and Care Soup Kitchen.