Michael Evan Burke

michael burke

February 5, 1935 ~ August 10, 2019

Born in: Cedar Rapids, IA
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Asheville – Michael Evan Burke, 84, passed away August 10, 2019. Mike, as he was known to all, was a loving husband and father, devoted brother, loyal friend, and active community volunteer. He made friends everywhere he went, had a wonderful sense of humor, loved playing and watching golf, and was a movie aficionado.

Mike was a veteran of the United States Army and a graduate of Mars Hill College. In 1970, he was awarded a fellowship through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and earned a Masters of Arts in College Teaching, Department of History. He was a Faculty Associate of UTK. Mike retired from teaching Social Studies at Farragut Middle School, Knox County Schools.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Marthann Coleman Burke. He is survived by daughter Catherine Burke Rains and husband Cal, Asheville; daughter Marshall Burke Barton and husband Tom, Duluth, GA; son John David Burke and wife Katie, Montgomery, AL; daughter Becky Doolittle, Binghamton, NY; and daughter Heather Hanna, Barneveld, NY; brother Terry Burke and wife Barbara, Memphis, TN; nephew Patrick Burke and wife Dorothy, Memphis, TN; ten grandchildren, Caroline and Cole Rains; Charlie and Chris Dukes, Catherine Baxter, Haley and Katherine Barton; and Chelsea, Lora and Jacob Burke; and six great-grandchildren.

Mike will be remembered for his strong faith and generous spirit. He was a member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, Arden, North Carolina, and he regularly volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Barnabas, the Welcome Table at Skyland United Methodist Church, and the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

A Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Arden with Father Adrian Porras officiating. His family will receive friends at a reception at the church following the Mass. Inurnment will be at Lewis Memorial Park, 415 Beaverdam Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28804 at 2:30 PM after the reception at St. Barnabas.

In lieu of flowers, Mike asked that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, St. Barnabas Catholic Church, or Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

Services

Funeral Mass: August 17, 2019 11:00 am

St Barnabas Catholic Church
109 Crescent Hill Drive
Arden, NC 28704

828-252-3535

Visitation: August 17, 2019 12:00 pm - March 28, 2024 1:30 pm

St Barnabas Catholic Church
109 Crescent Hill Drive
Arden, NC 28704

828-252-3535

Inurnment: August 17, 2019 2:30 pm

Lewis Memorial Park
415 Beaverdam Road
Asheville, NC 28804

252-5081

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704

(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Army Veteran

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  1. I knew Mike from 1940 thru the present. I grew up with Mike and was his Class of 1952 IC secretary.

  2. May Mr. Burke’s memory be eternal. I will remember his wit, wisdom, and love of golf, movies and a cold beer. So many fond memories from my youth. God rest his soul.

  3. I just learned about Mike a few minutes ago and am so sorry to hear this. I taught school with him for several years and considered him a dear friend. I am saddened.

  4. Mr. Burke was the best teacher I ever knew, and I never forgot him or his teachings. He was my teacher at St. Eugene’s School in the 1960’s; and I have often wondered about him, but did not know how to reach him in the passing years. He was one of a kind.
    To Sir with love!

  5. Mr. Burke was the best teacher I ever knew – truly one of a kind. In nineteen years of higher education, I never had another teacher who came close to him in his abilities, knowledge, and control over his classroom. I wish I had known he was in Asheville as I would love to have seen him one more time. What an incredible individual he was.
    To Sir with love!


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