Antonette Marie Burks

Antonette (Toni to everyone but her parents) grew up on the east side of Indianapolis. Her early days were spent riding her bike around 10th and Leland, playing at Ellenberger Park, and attending school at Little Flower. A proud east-sider, she graduated from Scecina in 1964. Toni first attended Butler, taking business classes, before transferring to Indiana University, where she obtained a degree in primary education. Growing up in an Italian household, this was a bit scandalous. As she liked to say; her mother expected that she would get married, have babies, and stay at home. While she did return home, instead of getting married and having babies, she started teaching elementary at Indianapolis Public Schools. Education was Toni’s first love. She poured her heart and soul into her students. She spent 42 years in the classroom, all at IPS, teaching first through sixth grades.

Toni met her future husband, Joe, in early 1976. This caused another scandal as Toni found someone who smoked, drank, wasn’t Italian, and worst of all, not even Catholic. They were married in October of 1976 and never looked back. Their marriage lasted the rest of their lives. Traveling was their favorite past time. One which fit quite well with teaching: summer, fall, winter, and spring breaks all providing an opportunity to have an adventure. These adventures took them across the world. Whether it was a tour of central Europe, a trip to South Korea, or a drive to Evansville for lunch. The destination didn’t matter. They could find fun anywhere with each other. Even though sometimes their ideas of the perfect trip didn’t always line up, they had no problems finding entertainment. Trip to the casino? While Joe found the poker tables, Toni settled in at the penny and quarter slots to make her $20 last all day. Trip to the outlet mall? Joe had no trouble finding a bench and someone to talk to (usually other guys in the same predicament). Toni’s favorite place in the world was Gatlinburg. A spot she first visited on their honeymoon, it became, until very recently, an annual destination.

Toni became a mother in October of 1980. Joe loved telling people that Michael was born 3 days after they were married, to which Toni would always have to add “4 years later!” Toni was a wonderful mother, even if she did once make her son walk home from the mall (he deserved it). She could always be heard embarrassing him (ok, cheering) from the sidelines of the soccer game or standing up in the middle of a choir show to wave, just in case Michael hadn’t seen her yet.

Toni relished becoming a grandmother. She babysat one day a week, where she would play games, cars, and her favorite activity, walks to the park. And of course, the teacher in her had them doing lessons here and there as well.

Toni was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Edna Burkart, and her husband, Joseph Burks. She is survived by her son Michael (Sarah), and grandchildren Joey, Caroline, and Brandon Burks.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, September 18th, at 10:00 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Noblesville. Following this, entombment will be at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Toni’s name can be made to the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, 9111 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250.