Gaylen Rodger Burke

Gaylen Rodger Burke, 85, of Liscomb, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.

Memorial services for Gaylen will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Liscomb Church of Christ. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later time. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Gaylen and his family.

Gaylen Burke was born on December 29, 1939 in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the son of Earl and Lillie Burke. After high school, Gaylen joined the Army National Guard. He later enlisted in the United States Air Force becoming a Master Sergeant. He was stationed in Arizona, England, Indiana, Florida, Thailand and Vietnam. Gaylen was honorably discharged on December 29, 1999. On June 1, 1973, Gaylen was united in marriage to Linda Rainsbarger. He had previously worked for the Honda dealership as a mechanic, Marshalltown Trowel, and would retire from Fisher Controls after twenty plus years. After Fishers, Gaylen worked at Wal-Mart for five years. He enjoyed working on motorcycles and even helicopters. Gaylen was also very handy, and built his own porch and garage. He was also a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at the church.

Gaylen is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda. Children: Gaylen (Teresa) Burke Jr. of Marshalltown, Kenneth Burke of Marshalltown, Mickie (Jim) Healey of Liscomb, Michael (Julie) Burke of England, Tammy (Mike) Fisher of Marshalltown, Micky McCubbin of Eldora and Camron (Deb) McCubbin of Liscomb. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, along with siblings: Bill Burke and Gordon Burke and sister-in-law: Karen Rainsbarger-Chesick.

Gaylen is preceded in death by his parents: Earl and Lillie; granddaughter: Sherry Hughes; sister: Muriel Burke; mother and father-in-law: Virgil and Lois Rainsbarger and brother-in-law: Richard Rainsbarger