John H. Burke

            John H. Burke, 85, of Venus, Pinegrove Township, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday evening, March 6, 2019, following a lengthy battle with gastric and liver cancer. 

            He was born August 26, 1933 in Franklin, a son to the late George J. and Mae Lillian (Jewel) Burke. 

            He attended Rocky Grove Schools before enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving in country from 1953 through 1955, during the Korean Conflict.

            Mr. Burke was a longtime member of the Oil City Church of the Nazarene, where he served on the administrative board and as an usher. 

            John enjoyed hunting, woodworking (especially making birdhouses), spending time with his family and grandchildren, and attending their softball games. 

            He worked for Foster Forbes Glass Plant in Oil City for 33 years in the maintenance department; he then worked at ConAir, before retiring from Thompson Glass in 1996. 

            He was married in Venus on March 25, 1967 to the former Barbara J. Busch, and she survives. 

            Also surviving are eight children: Eugene Lilly, Eve Meehan, and Robin Burke, all of Meadville, John R. Burke and his wife Cassandra of Cochranton, Theresa Beebe and husband Tom of Kossuth, Jennifer Best and husband Dan of Franklin, Scott Burke of Nineveh, and Shiela Allen and her husband Joe of Venus; fifteen grandchildren:  Nicole, Gail, Jason, Bambi, Solomon and wife Heather, Danielle, Cody, Connor, Alayna, Kayla, Logan, Andrew, Samantha, Troy and wife Kylie, and Courtney; and 18 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by three sisters, Betty Jane Tarr of Cooperstown, Dorothy Tarr of Rocky Grove, and Joanne Exley and husband Jim of Franklin; a brother, Raymond Burke and his wife Lana of Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

            In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Robert Burke; and his sisters, Margaret Jolley and Ella Mae McCauley. 

            Friends and family will be received Saturday (March 9) from 6 - 8 p.m. and on Sunday (March 10) from noon - 2 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township.  A funeral service will be held Monday (March 11) at 11 a.m. in the Nazarene Church, 601 East Second Street in Oil City, with a visitation beginning in church Monday at 10:30 a.m.  Rev. William Hopkins and Rev. Robert Flick will officiate.  The V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will accord full military honors following the service.  Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry. 

            In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the  Nazarene Church (Missions Fund), 601 East Second St., Oil City, PA  16301; or to The Gideons (Bibles) International, P.O. Box 97251,Washington, DC 20090.

            To express condolences to the family online, visit www.hilebest.com

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