Howard Burke
Howard James Burke, age 72, of Union City passed away on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at White-Ranson Funeral Home. A second visitation will take place from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Glynwood, Ohio. A funeral Mass will follow at noon at the church, with burial immediately after in St. Thomas Cemetery on the church grounds.
Howard was born on Sept. 4, 1953, in St. Marys, Ohio, to the late David and Isabella Burke. In 1979, he married Debbe Burke, who survives. He worked as a tire builder for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for 40 years. Following his retirement, he enjoyed driving for Nutrien Ag and Partin Farms.
Howard enjoyed spending time coaching his three sons in baseball, crappie fishing at Kentucky Lake, playing golf at the old Wingfoot Goodyear Golf Course and meticulously maintaining his lawn and garden. Later in life, his priorities were centered around his five grandchildren, Blakely, Hadley, Cameron, Logan and Jack. Howard was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Union City.
In addition to his wife, Debbe, Howard is survived by his three sons, Jason (Lauren) Burke of Mt. Juliet; Ryan Burke of Union City; and Brandon (Kait) Burke of Ocean City, Md.; as well as his five cherished grandchildren, Blakely, Hadley, Cameron, Logan and Jack. He is also survived by four sisters, Ann Deiters, Carolyn (Terry) Fenstad, Florence (Larry) Smith and Gertrude (Denny) Bushman; two brothers, David and Irvin Burke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be his sons, Jason, Ryan and Brandon, along with his nephews Doug Burke, Andy Bushman and Bobby Miller.
In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by two sisters, Barb Parramore and Elizabeth Caswell; and one brother, Jim Burke.
The Messenger