Donald Earl Burke

Donald Earl Burke "Donnie" was born on Sunday, September 17, 1944, the youngest of three sons born to William "Bill" Burke and Pearl Howard Burke. Donnie departed this life on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Heritage Nursing Center in Kennett at the age of 79 years 3 months 7 days. Donnie grew up in the small community of Hickory Landing near Gobler, MO. His nearest neighbors and best friends were the McMillian children, especially Alice & Barbara. He worshiped his older brothers, Ray and Dale, but since they were so much older Donnie became very close to his dad, Bill. He had the opportunity to jump in the truck with his dad and visit the small country stores and meet all the friends & neighbors from the surrounding areas. Bill loved to talk with everyone he came in contact with, so Donnie learned from an early age many lessons from his dad including his love and respect for others. Donnie's school days were happy ones. He started first grade at Caruth and completed 8 years there before finishing his last four years at Senath High School, graduating in 1962. The class of 1962 remained close. The reunions were many and his classmates remain with a lifetime bond. Shortly after graduation, he started his hardware career when Mr. Adolphus Riggs hired him at Riggs Supply. Donnie believed whatever job he was assigned; he would perform each task to the best of his ability. He climbed the career ladder swiftly and was promoted to manage Riggs Supply in West Memphis, AR. He learned everything he could about hardware, paint, customer relations and management skills. In 1976, he resigned as manager of Riggs Supply in West Memphis and moved his family back to Kennett, MO to open his own True Value Hardware Store. Donnie knew his hardware and loved his customers. No one was a stranger, everyone a friend. This was an exhilarating period of time in Donnie's life. He was a businessman, a proud father & family man. He was bursting with pride when his first born arrived, a beautiful baby girl with a head of hair anyone would envy, Kristi. His family was completed when his son, Brandon, was born four years later. He felt so blessed. Donnie was a natural carpenter, plumber and electrician. He built his mother's house from frame to finish. It became known that if you needed something fixed, Donnie could show you how and sell the parts to complete the job. No job was too large or too small, he could fix anything. On October 30, 1986, he married Sarah Elizabeth Esterline. God knew they needed each other, and with a little help from Jane Marshall Whittington, they met. Their marriage vows were taken seriously, and they lived by them. They loved and honored each other, together they lived for richer and poorer, taking care of one another in sickness and health until death do us part. They enjoyed a blessed and loving marriage of over 37 years. Donnie was involved in his community of Kennett, serving four years on the Kennett City Council. With his extensive business knowledge, he was assigned to the economic development committee. He was a past member of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of the Kennett Country Club. As an animal activist, Donnie supported the Kennett Humane Department with both monetary and dog food donations. He was also involved with a new charitable organization, The Trail of Tails. Judy Conder of Kennett heads this 501C-3 nonprofit organization for animals. Their mission is to assist in education and the reduction of animal population by spay & neuter programs and placement of animals by networking with no kill shelter facilities throughout Missouri & surrounding states. Donnie loved his own little zoo at home. Animals wild & domestic were drawn to his goodness. Over the years he fed squirrels, racoons, red foxes, opossums, birds, skunks, ducks and every stray cat in the neighborhood. After he became ill all the cats and dogs wanted to be close to him. In his hospital bed at home, he was surrounded by the love from his fur babies. He so enjoyed the cuddles, the purring and the peace and calm they gave him. Donnie made many friends throughout his lifetime. He loved playing pranks on them and would tease them to the point of making mad. He loved his golf buddies. They were quite a mixture of guys from all walks of life. You needed a thick skin to belong to this group because the teasing and picking on each other never ceased. By the time Donnie and Neal Gibbons got finished with you, it's possible that you would become a redneck and they loved every minute of it. In the last year of his life, he became close to a special friend and an angel from heaven, Mr. Bennie Johnson Mr. Bennie and Donnie shared many hours of laughter, joy & comfort. In the last six months Amanda came to live with us to take care of the animals & the housework so Sarah could focus all her attention on caring for Donnie. They both became family. Donnie called Amanda "our girl" and they both enjoyed the banter back & forth. Donnie's legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren. Brandon got his gifts of fixing anything & everything. He also got his sense of community from his dad working for the Kennett School District as a 21-year employee. Kristi also inherited his talent to fix or build anything and his strong family values. They both have his goodness, morals and ethics instilled in them. True Value Hardware will continue on with Brandon's leadership as it has for the last several years. Donnie leaves many loved ones behind including his wife of 37 years, Sarah Elizabeth Burke of the home; his children, daughter, Kristi Burke Rothman & her husband, Dr. Chris Rothman of Birmingham, AL; his son, Brandon Heath Burke & his wife, Stephanie of Paragould, AR; step-daughter, Shannon Masterson & her husband, Tom of Cape Girardeau, MO; grandchildren, Jackson, Audrey, Benjamin and William Rothman, Heath Burke, Ciara and Eathan Jennings, Ryan D. Nevill and great-grandson, Calvin Masterson. He also leaves behind his beloved sister-in-law, Reta Burke of Cabool, MO. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Bill & Pearl Burke, two beloved brothers, Ray & Dale Burke and a special granddaughter, Abby Elizabeth Ward. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Chapel in Kennett. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue until the time of service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers a donation to the animal group, The Trails of Tails, c/o Senath State Bank, P. O. Box 81, Kennett, MO 63857 would be appreciated. Powell Funeral & Cremation Services, Kennett is in charge of arrangements.