Richard Burke

Richard Joseph Burke, 65, of Canton, Georgia, formerly of Englewood, Colorado and DeWitt, passed away peacefully March 13, 2022 at his home after a brief illness.

Richard was born January 31, 1957 to Robert (Bob) and Frances (Green) Burke in DeWitt. He graduated from DeWitt Central Community High School in 1975.

From 1983 to 1990, he worked through the Roofers Local Union 32, Rock Island, Illinois. On Nov. 17, 1990 he married Tamara Rittmer in Denver, Colorado and began working for D&D Roofing, Denver.

In 2003, Richard received the gift of life through a liver transplant from an anonymous donor. He was forever grateful. He then worked for Cybercom Engineering, Denver as a project manager.

In 2018, he and Tami moved to Canton, Georgia, where he continued work as a senior project manager for Southern Roof Consultants, based out of South Pasadena, Florida.

Richard was a Registered Roof Observer, certified by the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC), had 23 years of hands on roofing experience and more than 15 years of roof consulting experience. He was an Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Bears enthusiast, enjoyed gambling, fishing, and travel.

Surviving him are his wife of over 31 years, Tami; children, Jade (Mitch) Groen of Central City, Russell (Monica) Burke of Austin, Texas, and Robert Burke of Denver, Colorado; grandsons, Miles and Levi Groen, Central City, and Peter Taylor, Glendale, Arizona; his mother, Frances Burke of DeWitt; sisters, Barb Barber of DeWitt, Karen Burke of Spokane, Washington, and Shonale (Ron Perry) Burke, of Schertz Texas; sisters-in-law, Renee (Mac) McReynolds, of Golden, Colorado, Lana Weeks of Davenport, and Shari (Butch) Soenksen of DeWitt; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bob; sister, Marilyn Burke-Knutsen; brothers-in-law, Leroy Knutsen and Dan Weeks, and nephew William Juuns.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeWitt, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the service time. The Rev. Fr. Stephen Page officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Grand Mound. A lunch gathering will follow at St. Joseph Parish Hall in DeWitt.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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