Ralph G. Burke, 89, General Motors Retiree, Enjoyed Gardening
Ralph G. Burke, 89, of Lorain, went to be with the Lord Monday August 18, 2008. He made the journey while gardening at his home.
He was born September 12, 1918 in Elyria and at the age of 21 moved to Lorain.
Ralph worked as an electrician at General Motors in Elyria for 25 years retiring in 1980. Prior to that he worked for the Lorain Telephone Company, Elyria Foundry and US Steel in Lorain. He also farmed 83 acres on Butternut Ridge Road in Elyria for 8 years.
Ralph enjoyed sailing, fishing, hunting, trapping, gardening and oil painting. He enjoyed family gatherings and was the Burke family historian. He was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, Beaver Park Sailing Club, Lorain Yacht & Sailing Club and the AARP. He bowled in the Senior Fellowship League at Rebman Recreation in Lorain.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years Antoinette Burke (nee DiBenedetto), children Kathleen Burke-Balogh and husband Andrew, David Burke and wife Sherry, Paul Burke and wife Joyce and John Burke and wife Anita, all of Lorain, grandchildren David Ross, Christopher, Brent, Nicholas, Mark, Courtney, Brianna and Reid and sister Agnes Gehrke of Avon Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Louisa Burke (nee Radde) and sister Geraldine Krutkiewicz.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 9:00 am until the time of funeral services at 11:00 am at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Kenneth Wolnowski, pastor of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Peter School, 3601 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44053.
Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.