Larry Joe Burke (88) of Louisville

Larry was born in Louisville, Illinois on August 28, 1935 to Jewell and Katherine (English) Burke. He spent many happy years as a child at his grandfather Charles Bennett (Ben) Burke’s family business, Burke’s Food Market, on the square in downtown Louisville, and sitting at the table with his grandmother Tennes Burke. Larry’s lifelong passion was building and flying model airplanes with his brothers, Tony C. Burke and Jay Bennett (Benny) Burke. After graduation from North Clay High School in Louisville in 1953, Larry attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, where he met the love of his life, Hazel Glea (Carter) Burke. They were married on December 20, 1953. In 1954 they welcomed their first child, Cathy Dian, and then in 1957 their second daughter, Barbara Kim. Larry graduated from EIU in 1957 and went on to teach at North Clay High School for 7 years. In 1962, Larry and Hazel welcomed their third daughter, Christi Beth. In June of 1964 Larry accepted a teaching position at Highland High School in Highland, IL, teaching Chemistry, Physics, and heading up the school’s Audio-Visual department. In December, 1964, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Charles

Bradley. During Larry’s time as a teacher at Highland High, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Missouri at Rolla. In 1985, after 20 years of teaching, Larry and Hazel moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he began his second career at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site as a Safety Engineer and Special Projects Manager with Sandia National Laboratories. After his retirement from Sandia, Larry continued to pursue his many hobbies, including photography, rockhounding, building model ships, remote controlled airplanes, and trains. He was also a skilled woodworker. In 2022, Larry and Hazel made the decision to move back to Illinois to be nearer to their family. There they were blessed with 2 wonderful years with their loved ones, and benefited from their care, including that from their children, their beloved granddaughters Cherry and Katie, and devoted niece, Romona Burke. On March 9, 2024 Larry left this world, leaving behind his beloved wife of 70 years, Hazel, his 4 children, Cathy Schoonover (Wayne), Barbara Kim Catron (Greg), Christi Burke, and Chuck Burke (Lisa); grandchildren, Chelsea Clark (Kevin), Trevor Schoonover (Erin), Austin Schoonover (Crystal), Cherry King (Steve), Andrew King (Brianna), Katie Lewis (Shane), Tara Burke (Zeke), and Haley Burke (Ronnie). In addition, Larry had 16 great grandchildren, Cheyenne Sandifer (Chris), Savannah Mooschekian (Glenn), Jason Devore, Jr. (Mariah), Blake Devore, Zachary Devore, Taylor Devore, Brigan King, Theron King, Keoni Lemire, Parker Lewis, Finn Lewis, Amber Lewis, Spencer Clark, Hazel Clark, Otto Clark, Lunabelle Schoonover, and Alexander Bone; and 3 great great grandchildren, Paislynn Mooschekian, Presleigh Mooschekian, and Treyton Mooschkian, as well as many greatly loved nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Jewell C. Burke, his mother, Katherine E. Burke, his brother, Tony C. Burke (Mary B.) and his sister-in-law Debbie Burke. 

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to HSHS Hospice for their compassionate care for our father. Larry Burke was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, teacher, scientist and teller of the funniest “Dad” jokes ever. His memory will live on forever, in the hearts of his family, friends, and students. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Larry’s memory to either HSHS Hospice or the American Alzheimer’s Association, and will be accepted through the funeral home. The McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville is entrusted with the care and arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory of Larry, please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com.