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YORK Richard C. "Dick" Burke, 81, formerly of Red Lion, entered into God's presence on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 3 p.m. at his home in New Freedom. He was the loving husband of Donaleen (Gohn) Burke, to whom he was married 58 years. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 a.m. from Grace United Methodist Church, 473 Plank Rd., Shrewsbury, with full military honors by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Officiating will be Pastor Jeffrey A. Slemp, Jr., and Pastor Charles Keller, a retired United Methodist minister for the Susquehanna Valley Conference. A visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will take place at a later date. He was born December 11, 1931 in York, a son of the late Ethel M. (Snell) Burke and the late Harry C. Buckingham. Dick entered the U.S. Army in 1951, serving in Alaska during the Korean War and was discharged in July 1953. He earned his GED while in the army and worked at Flinchbaugh Products in Red Lion and York International/Borg Warner in York. Post-retirement, he spent his days working part-time as a security guard for Schaad Detective Agency at The Lutheran Home on Kelly Drive in York and at Barbara J. Egan Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Shrewsbury, until age 79. Dick was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Red Lion, where he played the Bass in the orchestra for 65 years. He also was a member of the New Born Singers Gospel Group, hosted by Springvale United Methodist Church, Red Lion. He held a lifelong membership to the National Rifle Association, the Vikings Club of York, The York Rifle Range, and was a former member of Red Lion American Legion Post 543. He avidly read gun and knife magazines which led him to become a collector over the years. He was also very much interested in anything related to World War II and delighted in telling his family stories from that era. Because Dick desired to continue to serve Our Lord and humanity, he requested his remains be donated to science through MedCure Organization. In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by one daughter, Kitty Lin Heidlebaugh and her husband, Donald Hines of New Freedom; five grandchildren, Lindi Gohn and her husband, Jez of New Freedom, Meigan Warner and her husband, Dave of Manchester, Abbey LeCompte and her husband Kenneth, Jr. of Dallastown, Brienna K. Dill and her fiance, Todd Mundy of York, and Kanen J. Dill of Dover; and one step-granddaughter, Colleen Beltz of Westminster, Md. Dick also cherished his six great-grandchildren, Seth, Dayon, Lee, Donovan, Lee Ann, and Katelin; and his three step-great grandchildren, Matthew, Julianna and Abigail. They brought many joys and smiles to him over the sixteen years he had with all of them. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, and by his first son-in-law, whom he continued to cherish as a son, Michael Heidlebaugh. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Kari Lenae Burke in 1997, and his siblings, Russell, Clair, and Charles Burke, and Pearl Snyder. Written by Dick's daughter, KittyAs a family, we will miss him very much. Over the past six weeks we have had the opportunity as he entered Hospice to begin grieving with him; sharing tears, laughter, stories and music, and sometimes just sitting quietly watching him sleep. The Hospice & and Community Care team of nurses, social worker and chaplain all enjoyed visiting with him and brought him much joy day after day. We cannot thank each of them enough for their high level of care to Dad and to our family, especially Maggie Brannon and Rick Britton, who simply helped each of us in so many ways to adapt to this difficlut situation. The staff at Cancer Care of York, as well as the staff on the 4th and 5th floors of York Hospital was also supportive and caring. Dad cherished the visits he was able to share with Pastor Jeff, who seemed to always find a way to get Dad to laugh and talk. While he will not physically be with us, we are all comforted by the fact he is reuniting in heaven with his parents, daughter, Kari, and siblings, and will be waiting for each of us to return one day. Dad led by example-never losing his faith in Jesus, always finding some good in each person he met, and striving to teach us a better way of looking at things. He was quick to accept responsibility for his shortcomings and apologetic when he realized he had been wrong. His leadership in our family will continue to keep us united and strong. Thank you Dad! Sleep loose. We love you! Memorial doantions may be made to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604; or to, Grace United Methodist Church "Gifts of Grace", at the address above. This is an outreach ministry to feed and care for those in our communities, or, in lieu of flowers, canned or non-perishable goods may also be brought to the church on the day of the service. J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 24 N. Ssecond St., New Freedom, is assisting the family.
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5 Entries
Donnie and Kitty,
I am sorry to hear about Dick. I will always remember the time we went bear hunting together when I was Kari's boyfriend. He always had kind words and encouraging remarks to share with all of us. After all these years I still have a little place in my heart that loves Kari to pieces. I want to think that they are in each others arms now. Be strong and carry on!
John Snyder
[email protected]
December 26, 2012
My prayers are with Donnie and family, Dick was such an energenic and positive soul. I have would run into Donnie and Dick from time to time I had just talked to mom (Sandy McClane Sipe) a day or so ago it broke my heart to hear he is no longer with us, but knowing in my heart he is in a better place. Love you all God Bless keep in touch 717 885 4060 or email [email protected]
teresa bryant
December 25, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Dick was always a pleasure to talk to. My you find peace in knowing he is in a better place now...take care.
Lori and Scott Schoenenberger
December 21, 2012
Meigan & Family,
So sorry to read this but now he is at peace. Wish I could give you a BIG HUG & tell you everything will be fine. Dick was a GREAT MAN, I enjoyed being around him! LOVE & HUGS to all.
Kimberly(Kim) Tome
December 20, 2012
Donnie, Kitty and Family,
Where to begin when speaking of Dick.
A mere five minutes spent with him would leave you laughing, refreshed and forgetting all your troubles, a joy to behold. It saddens me for the families that Dick and Merve would pass within a matter of days from each other, "heartbreaking"
Then my heart becomes light, who better than Dick to meet Merve at the gates of Heaven and usher him in. Wow...What a Reunion. Although we are filled with sorrow Imagine the choir in Heaven and everyones joy to have Dick join in this Christmas and forever more. Heaven has now become more joyous than before because Dick and Merve have returned home.
May God comfort you in the days ahead.
Melody and Family
Melody Baum
December 19, 2012
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