Jeremiah W. "Jerry" Burke

Jeremiah W. “Jerry” Burke of La Porte, Indiana passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2018.  Jerry was born May 21, 1923, in Norwood, MA to Jeremiah and Julia (Doherty) Burke. 

On November 22, 1952 in Norwood, MA Jerry married Lillian P. Kozak who preceded him on January 25, 1990.  On May 23, 1992 in La Porte, IN Jerry married Agnes J. Lazarek who preceded him on March 2, 2009.

In 1952, while working for Plimpton Press, Jerry was transferred from Norwood to La Porte and lived here ever since.  After 30 years with Plimpton and their subsequent closing, Jerry began with Whirlpool Corporation, where he retired, after 15 years.

Jerry was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942-1945 during WWII, serving 18 months in the South Pacific.  He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Michael Council 1542, the Elks, the La Porte V.F.W., and the American Legion.  He was also a member of the Whirlpool retirement club.

Jerry was proud of his Irish heritage.  His parents immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1912.  He was an avid sports fan whose two favorites were the game of golf, along with cheering for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Jerry is survived by two sons, Jeremiah (Eileen) Burke of La Porte, Christopher (Tina) Burke of Germantown, TN; four step daughters, Paula Kubica of Kenosha, WI, Marcia (Dean) Krueger of La Porte, Michaeleen (Mike) Eklund of Mercer, WI, Kathleen (Tom) Luetkmeyer of Chicago; four grandchildren, Jenna Burke, Jeremiah Burke, Brandon Burke and Brian Burke; many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; a brother, William Burke of Clearwater, FL; and many nieces and nephews, and cousins in the east.  He was preceded in death by both of his wives; one son, David Burke; and three sisters, Ann, Evelyn, and Jane; and one step-daughter, Gabriel Frazier.

Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, where a Parish Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, August 27, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in La Porte.  Family and friends may gather at 9 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the St. Vincent De Paul Society, 109 C Street, La Porte, IN 46350, or the Gibault School for Boys, 601 S. U.S. Highway 41, Terre Haute, IN 47802.

Please share prayers, condolences and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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