Steven Burke

Steven Leroy Burke, 63, of Louisburg, KS died at 8:55 a.m. on Sunday, February 21 at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. Born August 12, 1952 in Rushville, IL, he was the son of parents Glyn and Delores Burke. He married Patricia Ann Smith December 4, 1971 in Auburn, IL. His parents and a brother, Gary Burke preceded him in death. Steven was a 1970 graduate of Divernon High School. He began working for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company in 1973 in Glenarm, IL, transferring to Louisburg, KS in 1996, where he and his wife have resided for the past 19 years. Declining health put an unfortunate end to his career in 2013 and he left with 40 years of loyal service to the company. Active in woodworking, automotive work and community volunteerism, he served many years as Cubmaster for Boy Scout Troop #41 and spent 23 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Divernon Fire Department, where he became a Captain and training officer. Steven and his wife dedicated 15 years of their life as foster parents through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, fostering more than 50 children. Surviving are his wife, Patricia of Louisburg; one son, Brian L. Burke of Auburn; two daughters, Stefanie (Brian) Cook and Lisa (Richard) Heishman, both of Louisburg, KS.; four grandchildren, Natalie Burke, Aaron Cook, Charlotte and Sydney Heishman; three siblings, Rick Burke of Chatham, Lynda Burke of Springfield and Tom Burke of Auburn. Memorials are suggested to United Way of Paola, Kansas, where Steve was a long time donor, P.O. Box 102, Paola, Kansas 66071. To share your memories of Steven or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.