Ronald Wayne Burke

Ronald Wayne Burke was born February 11, 1948, in Elkins, West Virginia, to Mabel Mildred (Simpson) Burke and Willie Gerald Burke. The family moved to Spokane in the late 1950s, then to Otis Orchards, where Ron attended school. After high school, Ron enlisted in the Marines, serving in Viet Nam, and then in Bremerton, Washington, where he married the love of his life, Pauletta Marie Hines of Spokane. (They were married for 42 years until Pauletta's death in June of 2010).

After returning to Spokane, Ron worked for Kaiser Aluminum, first at the Mead plant for a few years before transferring to Kaiser Trentwood. Towards the end of his career, he became active in the Steelworkers Union, holding the office of Chief Grievance Chairman, with a 98 percent winning rate in arbitrations. Ron negotiated numerous contracts. Throughout his time at Kaiser he mentored and counseled many union members, saving their jobs.

After his retirement in 2000, Ron became an avid golfer who played between 36 and 54 holes twice a week with his golf buddies, Bob, Mike, and Jim.

Ron passed away in the ICU at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center on Thursday, November 17. He died in total peace, without pain, and surrounded by his loving family. We thank all doctors and nurses in the ICU for your valiant, six-day fight to save Ron. We are forever grateful for your gentle and compassionate care for Ron and our entire family. You are truly super heroes.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sherry; children Camille Zurfluh (Bruce), Russ Burke, Deanna Finley (Daniel); grandchildren Austin Zurfluh (Jackie), Alexis Revis (Matthew), Alex Zurfluh (Anni), Branden Zurfluh, Collin Zurfluh, Taylor Burke, Corbin Shults, Logan Shults (Morah); great grandsons Callum Zurfluh, and Lucas Revis; brother John Burke (Janie), and sister Sandy Helbling (Fred); plus numerous nieces, nephews, their children and grandchildren.