Betty Burk

Betty E. Burk

St. Johns

Betty E. Burk, 94 of St. Johns, MI died on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Hazel Findlay Country Manor.  Betty was born on June 24, 1921 in St. Johns the daughter of John and Ruth (Rathburn) Matice.  She graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1940 and on March 27, 1943 she married Merlin Burk in Eureka, MI.  Merlin died on June 28, 2014.  Betty was a secretary at Perrin Palmer School in St. Johns, retiring in 1984.  She liked spending time at their cottage at Cranberry Lake and winters in Lakeland, Florida where she won many trophies in shuffle board.  Betty was a life member and Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Stars.  She was also an excellent cook.

Survivors are her sons, Gary (Ricki) Burk and Tom Burk, both of St. Johns.  Daughter-in-law, Olga Burk, 8 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Brother, Ted Matice of Florida and sister, Geraldine Woodbury of California.  Several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Larry, 2 brothers, Don and Robert Matice and sisters-in-law, Lorraine Matice and Pat Matice.

Funeral services will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Rodney Kalajainen officiating.  Burial will follow at Eureka Cemetery.  The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, February 19, 2016 at the funeral home, 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.  An Order of The Eastern Stars service will be held at 7:30 P.M. Friday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Johns-Ovid Masonic Lodge.