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The Memorial service for E. M. Burk, 92 – year – old Enid resident, will be at 10 AM today in St. Matthews Episcopal Church. The Rev. Jerry Rankin, Rector, will officiate. A private committal will follow in the Memorial Garden of St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Henninger – Allen Funeral Home.
Burk was born March 21, 1909, to Alpha and Alice Hoffman Burk on his grandfather Hoffman's homestead near Wakita and died Thursday, January 10, 2002, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.
He graduated from Wakita high school in 1926 and Wichita Business College. He married Lucille Cansler in 1934; she died in 1968. A daughter, Bette Burk Runge, also preceded Burk in death in 1987.
Burk worked as an executive for the International Harvester Corporation in several cities for 15 years prior to being commissioned in the Army in 1943.
He served in the European Theater and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 1946.
Following his discharge, he became associated with his father – in – law, Charles P. Cansler in the general insurance business. He purchased Cansler's agency, which became known as Cansler – Burk company. He was an active independent insurance agent for over 50 years. He served in all offices of the Enid Association of Insurance Agents and also served on the Board of Directors and executive committee of the Oklahoma Association of Insurance Agents, to which he was elected president in 1960.
Burk was a communicant of St. Matthews Episcopal Church where he was baptized and confirmed in 1955. He was a member and chaired the Memorial Committee there for many years.
Burk was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Enid for over 50 years with perfect attendance. He helped build and rebuild the Kiwanitrain at Meadowlake Park. He frequently drove the train until a few years ago. He was president of Kiwanis in 1963.
A physical fitness enthusiast, Burk won the YMCA Road Runner award in 1968 following a run to Hennessey. He jogged the perimeter of Oakwood Country Club daily for many years.
Also an avid bird hunter and golfer, Burke was a charter member of Oakwood Country club and the Oakwood Men's Golf Association.
A widower himself, the normally shy Burk courageously crossed the hedge one day with a bouquet of fresh flowers he had picked from his yard to present to his recently widowed neighbor. The widow saw him crossing and ran and hid in her room, requiring her daughter to meet Burk at the door to except the tribute. A few trips later, he left a characteristically BurC note which she treasures to this day. Paraphrasing, he confessed to the widow his intentions were strictly dishonorable as he intended to marry her!
On December 7, 1968 Burk married his neighbor and fellow Episcopalian, Barbara Wooten Smith, in St. Matthew's church amidst a sea of pink poinsettias wrapped in silver paper tied with pink bows. He knew a faint heart never won a fair lady.
In 1969, Burk and Barbara purchased Interiors Gallery Gift Shop from Jane Champlin, which they operated for several years before selling to C. M. Miller. They enjoyed the semi-annual buying trips for the shop. They also enjoyed playing golf together.
Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Barbara; daughter Susie Hume Eckles; sons Randy Smith and Tim Smith; 11 grandchildren; five great – grandchildren; and nephew, Bill Athey. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made through Henninger – Allen to St. Matthews Episcopal Church.
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