Submitted by: Dan Rich

Julius Clark Burke

Feb. 27, 1936 - Aug. 15, 2004

South Bend Tribune 8/17/2004

Julius Clark Burke, 68, of 2318 Blue Smoke Trail, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away suddenly on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004. Julius was born on Feb. 27, 1936, in the front room of his uncle Dr. Julius Brown's home in O'Neill, Neb., to Dr. Charles and Alice Burke.

He is survived by his dear wife, Victoria Garrett; and his beloved children, Dr. Jeffrey C. Burke of Lynchburg, Va., Catherine R. Burke and her partner, Valerie Lane of Cloverdale, Mich., Thomas R. Burke and his wife, Eliana Elias of Albany, Calif., and Andrew J. Burke and his wife, Laurie of Montrose, Colo. Julius is also survived by his sister, Mary Jean Kreitman, and her husband, Royce; his grandchildren, Sofia, Tristan, Julian, Amelia and Paul; and his first wife, Sandra Johnston.

Julius grew up in Bassett, Neb., where his father was the town dentist who handled all the responsibilities of a small-town doctor. He also greatly enjoyed spending time on the Sandall Ranch outside of town. Julius graduated from Rock County High School in 1953 and was a member of the National Honor Society. He graduated from Hastings College in 1957 where he majored in biology and English, and won the Bronco Award his senior year. Julius was a pre-med student, and became known to his friends as "Doc" Burke.

Julius worked in Hastings, Neb., for Dutton-Lainson for 25 years, working his way from stock clerk to the position of vice president. Julius served on the Hastings College Board of Trustees from 1963 to 1981. Julius was a very active leader with Boy Scout Troop 200 for 15 years, ushering all three of his sons through to Eagle Scout status. He often led long hikes in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with Senior Scouts. While living in Hastings, Julius was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and a trustee, and continuing his family tradition of singing in the church choir. Julius moved to Chicago, Ill., in 1981, and was employed with CL Watt as a sales manager for five years. During this time he was active in the Schaumburg Swedish Evangelical Covenant Church, singing in the choir and making many dear friends.

Julius moved to Mishawaka in 1986 and joined Elkhart Products Corporation as a regional sales manager. Not long after, he met his beloved wife, Victoria Garrett, on a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. They sang together under a canyon waterfall and fell in love. Julius and Vicky married in 1988. Julius was active in the arts, spending several years singing with the Bethel College Choral Society. He sang with Indiana Opera North in their production of Il Trovatore, in which his wife, Vicky, sang the role of Leonora. They loved singing together, which included a performance of Handel's Messiah with the Bethel College Choral Union at Carnegie Hall in 1999. In the summer of 2001 they traveled to the Czech Republic and Austria, performing with the Indiana/Purdue University Festival choir.

Julius was a high school youth club counselor and youth shepherd at the First Presbyterian Church of Mishawaka. He was also a trustee and active choir member, and chaired the Special Gifts Committee. He co-chaired the recent, highly successful building campaign with his friend, Alan Camren. Julius was a regular member of the Men's Breakfast group. His special ministry was singing for funerals, in the tradition of his late father. For the past four years, Julius was mentor and tutor, volunteering at Battell and Hums Elementary Schools. He loved working with the fifth and sixth graders, helping them with their reading and math skills. Julius is remembered by his family and friends as a kind, generous man, to whom no one was a stranger.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka. A memorial service celebrating his life will also be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, in the First Presbyterian Church in Mishawaka. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. The Rev. Ronald P. Miller will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Battell School-Books in memory of Julius C. Burke, Attn: Chris Wukobits, 721 Lincoln Way East, Mishawaka, IN 46544.