Polly L. Burke

STURGIS — Polly L. Burke, age 87, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, Sept. 2, 2008, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Jan. 15, 1921, in Erie, Pa., a daughter to the late Charles Edward and Elizabeth Paulina (Jull) Fuess.

Polly had resided in the Sturgis and White Pigeon area most of her life. She especially loved the over 30 years she lived at Fish Lake in White Pigeon. Her early life was spent in Erie, Pa.

On Nov. 27, 1943, she married Harold D. Burke in Arcadia, Fla. He died Nov. 28, 1991.

Polly was a homemaker and member of St. John's Episcopal Church and St. John's Guild. She was a Life Member of Pythian Sister Pocahontas Temple #121 and Order of Eastern Star Olive Branch #2, Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion Auxiliary and the Sturgis Hospital Guild.

For many years she volunteered her time at the V.A. Medical Center in Battle Creek with the Pythian Sisters.

Polly enjoyed knitting, playing Bridge and crossword puzzles.

She is survived by one daughter, Virginia Sue (Fred) Batt of Northport; one son, John (Caroline) Burke of Canton; two grandchildren, Kristy (Travis) Batt of Livonia and Doug Burke of Lafayette, Ind.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, where a Pythian Memorial will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, conducted by Past Grand Chiefs. A memorial Requiem Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the St. John's Episcopal Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Canon Meredith Hunt will officiate. Private burial of the ashes will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Mich., at a later date.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.