Howard Dean Burke

He leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia Stappers Burke; daughters, Tami Stirewalt of Salisbury, NC, and Malinda Mortell (Bob) of Pughkeepsie, NY; six grandchildren, Adam, Nicholas, Christine, and Jeremy Stirewalt, Peter and Will Mortell. Howard also leaves behind nine brothers and sisters, Delta Bean (Charlie), Marilyn Jordan (Carl), Wanda Ryan, John Burke (Doris), Donnie Burke (Cheryl), Joyce Burke (Diane Taylor), Martha Coleman (Jerry), Ted Burke (Jennelle), and Mike Burke (Linda); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, his First Colony Family and many special friends.

Howard was born in Salisbury, NC, on February 14, 1946, the 7th child of 10. He served in the United States Air Force and the Virginia National Guard as a jet engine mechanic. For the last 35 years he excelled at being a manufacturer’s representative for the electric industry traveling the entire state of Virginia.

Howard loved his family more than anything, but watching sunsets at the First Colony Marina with friends or fishing on his boat was a very close second.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 17, from 4PM to 8PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188. Funeral services will be held in the Nelsen Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, September 18, beginning at 2PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society for the research of Mesothelioma, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or https://donate.cancer.org/index. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.