How to reach out to the Burke family

Arrangements are complete for the funeral services for Gerald "Jere" Burke, father of NSU director of athletics Greg Burke.

Visitation is Sunday evening, with a burial mass at 11 a.m. (EST) Monday in Alliance, Ohio. Mr. Burke, an educator, taught at Marlington High School for 27 years, and in his final years of service was the head librarian.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gerald P. Burke Scholarship, Marlington Alumni Association, P.O. Box 6001, Alliance, OH, 44601.

He passed away Wednesday at the age of 75.

Funeral services will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home at 1000 South Union Avenue, Alliance OH 44601, phone 330-823-2159.

You can offer condolences through the funeral home website:

http://www.funeralquestions.com/obits/sharer2/memorial.asp?listing_id=123926

Additional information from the obituary on the funeral home website follows:

"Mr. Burke was very active with his church and in the community. As a dedicated member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alliance, he served on parish council, volunteered as a lector and Eucharistic Minister and was an altar server and prayer leader.

"He and his wife Mary Ann served as Marriage Preparation Mentors for 20 years. He served as a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and participated on their bowling team. He was also a member of the Alliance Senior Citizens Center.

"Mr. Burke and his wife Mary Ann were recently awarded the Ben S. Favazzo Sr. and Patrick H. Jeswold Founder’s Award for their outstanding dedication and service to the Carnation City Festival and to the community of Alliance, Ohio. Mr. Burke and his wife were members of St. Hilary parish in Akron for the past 2 ½ years.

"His hobbies included reading, bowling, coaching speech/debate, sports, and watching the activities of his grandchildren.

"He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Sharshan Burke; his daughter, Susan Marie Burke of Dublin; and his sons, Gregory Scott (Susu) of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Richard William (Tracy) of Akron, and Gerald Michael (Jill) of Hudson. Mr. Burke also leaves eight grandchildren - Catherine Jean Burke of Natchitoches; Joseph, Nicholas, Abigail, and Nathaniel Gerald Burke of Akron; and Kelly, Maria, and Anthony Santa-Emma of Dublin. He also is survived by a brother, William (Gloria) Burke of Boardman, sister-in-law Betsy Mitchell of Austintown, and cousin Mary York (Ed) of Canfield.

"Mr. Burke will always be remembered as a loving and caring husband and father who worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide the best for his family, as a dedicated teacher who strived daily to make a difference in the lives of his students, and as a selfless gentleman who had a keen sense of humor, enjoyed helping others, and lived his Catholic faith every day of his life.

"The family extends its gratitude to the caring doctors and staff in the Alzheimer's Disease units at Pine Valley Care Center and Wyant Woods and the caring staff at Harbor Lights Hospice and Senior Independence Center in Akron."