John William Burke

John William Burke, 94, of Basalt, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016 surrounded by family in the comfort of his home.

John was born on August 27, 1921 to Albert Lee and Elvina Docine Burke; he was the eighth of fourteen children and grew up in Iona and the surrounding areas.

After the passing of both his parents, John enlisted in the United States Army to help support his siblings. He went on to serve his country and was in WWII from 1942-1946. He fought in China, India, and Burma. Upon returning home, he met the love of his life, Margaret Mary Howard, and the two were married on April 29, 1946 after dating for just three weeks.

John and Margaret moved to Anaconda, Montana where they worked on farms for a few years but later came back to Idaho in 1950. The happy couple welcomed their first child into the family, a little girl whom they named Nadine. They then had two more little girls, Elizabeth and Jeanie, and in 1968, they were finally blessed with a little boy named Michael. Margaret sadly passed away in 1972, and John continued raising his children until he married Kathy Olsen in 1974. They had four children: Michelle, Ralland, Felecia, and Johna.

John loved camping and the outdoors and spent many summers in Island Park. He loved spending time with his family and was the center of any event or gathering. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2016 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W Oak, in Shelley.  The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10:00 till 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Firth Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion, David B. Bleak Post 93 assisted by the Idaho Honor Guard.