James Rapheal Burkle
January 4, 1924 — September 14, 2014
James Rapheal Burkle, 90, of Earlville, died surrounded by his loving family, of a sudden illness at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, on Sunday, September 14, 2014. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Earlville, with Rev. Dennis Quint officiating. The family will greet friends from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September, 17, 2014, at Clifton Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Earlville, with an 8:00 p.m. Scripture Service, and additional visitation at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, also at the Funeral Home . Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Earlville.
Survivors include his wife, Delores; children, Karen (Jerome) Freiburger of Sherrill, Wayne (Marcia) Burkle of Manchester, Loras (Michelle) Burkle of Pleasant Valley, Connie (Dan) Wheeler of Earlville, and Marsha (Lyle) Helle of Earlville; 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, brothers, Leander (Lavonne) Burkle, Delbert (Dorothy) Burkle, Donald (Lois) Burkle, and sister-in-law, Grace Burkle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Alice (Jerome) Wulfekuhle, Herb (Wilma) Burkle, and Clete Burkle; and one grandchild, Kyle Wheeler.
James was born January 4, 1924, the son of Frank and Emma (Willenborg) Burkle in Dyersville, Iowa and was baptized there. He met Delores Sellner at a country dance. He married the love of his life on January 17, 1950. Together they farmed 22 years, and with loving virtues, raised five children. Jim also worked for Winnebago, delivering motor homes across the United States, and was a carpenter with Galaxy Homes. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, was a 4-H Leader, and served as a Director on the Farm Mutual Insurance Board. He loved to travel, and loved to visit. He always had a smile on his face. Jim’s favorite saying was, “Thanks for coming, come again!”
Survivors include his wife, Delores; children, Karen (Jerome) Freiburger of Sherrill, Wayne (Marcia) Burkle of Manchester, Loras (Michelle) Burkle of Pleasant Valley, Connie (Dan) Wheeler of Earlville, and Marsha (Lyle) Helle of Earlville; 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, brothers, Leander (Lavonne) Burkle, Delbert (Dorothy) Burkle, Donald (Lois) Burkle, and sister-in-law, Grace Burkle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Alice (Jerome) Wulfekuhle, Herb (Wilma) Burkle, and Clete Burkle; and one grandchild, Kyle Wheeler.
James was born January 4, 1924, the son of Frank and Emma (Willenborg) Burkle in Dyersville, Iowa and was baptized there. He met Delores Sellner at a country dance. He married the love of his life on January 17, 1950. Together they farmed 22 years, and with loving virtues, raised five children. Jim also worked for Winnebago, delivering motor homes across the United States, and was a carpenter with Galaxy Homes. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, was a 4-H Leader, and served as a Director on the Farm Mutual Insurance Board. He loved to travel, and loved to visit. He always had a smile on his face. Jim’s favorite saying was, “Thanks for coming, come again!”
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