Reginald E. "Reggie" Burke

Reginald E. “Reggie” Burke, 68, of Benezette, went home to be with the Lord on December 5th, 2017, as he passed away peacefully at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born August 8^th, 1949 to the late Robert and Leonore (Murphy) Burke, and was the third of thirteen children.

He is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Helen (Weis) Burke; his three children, Helene (Martin) McClain of St. Marys, Troy (Carisa) Burke of Force and Lance (Barbara) Burke of Cibolo, TX; ten grandchildren, Jacqueline, Courtney, Tyler, Ashley, Garrett, Brittany, Delaney, and Ronan Burke, Riley Whitesell and Nichole (Michael) Ryan; two great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Lyla; five brothers, Stan Burke of Emporium, Carter Burke of Boston, MA, Mike Burke of Caledonia,  Bill Burke and Anthony Burke of Emporium; and six sisters, Marion Shadduck of Byrnedale, Marylin Cortina of Force, Maria Beers of DuBois, Mona Burke of Caledonia, Marlena Fox of Caledonia and Theresa Burke of Ridgway.

Reggie spent the majority of life, in Bennetts Valley, where he was born and raised. After high school he served in the U.S. Army Infantry from 1969 to 1971, with one tour in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge, along with numerous other medals. After his time in the Army, he returned home, and worked at several factories until retiring from SGL in 2011. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who had a deep faith in Christ, a sincere concern for others, a joy for the simple pleasures of life, and a sacrificial love for his family. In the past, he had served the Valley as a Little League Coach and a Boy Scout Master.  He will be greatly missed.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert “Jim” Burke.

Funeral services will be held, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the Benezette United Methodist Church with Pastor Missy Smith.  The family will be receiving friends on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Church.  Military honors will be accorded by the Bennetts Valley Legion Post 978 Burial Detail.

The family suggests memorials to the Bennetts Valley Ambulance and will be accepting online condolences at www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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