Brian A. Burke, 83, of Gahanna, Ohio passed away peacefully after a short illness on September 28, 2012 in Crossville, TN. He was born in Wilkinsburg, PA to John and Emily (Gray) Burke, on Nov. 15, 1928. Growing up in Pennsylvania, he graduated from Indiana State Teachers College, PA in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict at Ft. Jackson, SC as a radio instructor. Brian retired from U.S. Steel Corporation after 41 years of employment in the Applied Research Laboratory and the Products Division. His active life and love of the outdoors included traveling, family camping, hiking, birding and gardening. He was active in scouting, achieved Eagle Rank and served as an Explorer Post leader. He shared his many interests with family and friends including genealogy, trains, lighthouses and was an avid reader of history and the Civil War. Recently his passion was crosswording. Brian’s focus throughout his lifetime was always the welfare and happiness of his family, as well as providing aid and support to others in need locally, nationally and worldwide. His commitment of service to others wherever he resided, included most recently the Stonybrook United Methodist Church, and the Windward Trace Condominium Association. He was a 50 year member of the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and was currently a member of Sunrise Lodge 783 of Gahanna. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Marilyn (Miller) Burke; three daughters Laurie (John) Naglee, of Gainesville, FL, Valerie (Ed) Dowell of Westerville, OH and Andrea (Gregg) Burke-Harris of Buffalo, NY; eight grandchildren Erik (Devon), Christopher (Colleen), Neil and Stefan Naglee; Brian (Nataf) and Kristin Dowell, PhD; Gwyneth and Gavin Harris; great-grandchildren Owen and Carson Naglee and Eden Dowell; sister Sheila Sloan of Columbus, OH and brother-in-law Maynard Miller of Cabot, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, PO Box 182883, Columbus, OH 43218-2883 or Stonybrook United Methodist Church Appalachian Service Project Mission Fund, 485 Cherry Bottom Rd., PO Box 30733, Gahanna, OH, 43230. A memorial service will be observed on Saturday October 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Stonybrook United Methodist Church, 485 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10-11:00 a.m. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a photo or special memories in honor of Brian.
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