James F. Burke

James F. Burke, 68, of Geneseo, passed away suddenly on November 20, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus, in Rochester, MN. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at St. Malachy Catholic Church. Father Michael Pakula will celebrate. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by Don Cherry VFW Post 5380. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 27, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo. A scripture service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the James Burke Memorial Fund and will be distributed among several local charities.

James was born on September 19, 1949, the son of James and Mary (Kraker) Burke, in Washington, D.C. James married Carolyn K. Moens-Crowe on September 16, 1995, in Bettendorf, IA. He was a Director of Pharmacy at Genesis Health Systems Illini Campus, Silvis, IL and later at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton, IL, retiring in 2015. He graduated from Alleman High School and the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Degree in Pharmacy in 1979.  He received an MBA from St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA in 1989.

James had a love of fine wine. He enjoyed studying and tasting different varieties. His interest in wine was accompanied by his love to travel, especially to France, where he and his wife enjoyed the countryside from the vantage of hot air balloons. James also loved pizza. He was an avid reader and enjoyed attending family events. James is a veteran of the United States Army. He and Carolyn are members of St. Malachy Catholic Church.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Carolyn, and daughters, Kelly Crowe, St. Charles, IL, Karyn Robertson, Moline, IL, and Christine (Thom) Cunningham, Deerfield, IL. His brother is Douglas (Patti) Burke of East Moline. James is survived by two nephews, Ian Burke (Dr. Jessica Stumphy) of Edina, MN, Kyle Burke (Lyndie Crimmins), and their children, Elyjah and Lylah of East Moline, Il. His grandchildren are Desiree, Chelsea, Michaela Mertz, Brittany (Matt) Parker, Tyler (Renee) Robertson, Caleb (Leah) Robertson, Abby, Claire, and Ryan Cunningham. His great-grandchildren are Max, Molly, Lilly, Ellie Parker, Shae, Harper, and Ryder Robertson.

James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary. 

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