Joseph Vestal "Joe" Burke 35 of Broken Bow passed away January 24, 2010 at McCurtain Memorial Hospital. He was born September 13, 1974 the son of the late Jimmy Dale and Sandra Gail (Wakefield) Burke.
Joe was a very kind and tender hearted individual, always willing to help if he saw a need. Early in his childhood he sang with his parents at the First Christian Church in Broken Bow. He had a great sense of humor though everyone teased that it was hard to make him smile. Joe had a great love of music and was himself, a talented musician. He participated in the Broken Bow Savage Marching Band in high school and then played music with friends and family in the area, including a stint with the local band Mr. Rainmaker. His hobbies included collecting Star Wars memorabilia, playing basketball, tennis and riding his bicycle. He had a passion for film making and the movie industry, which drew his interest to one of his former part-time jobs as a projectionist for McCurtain Cinema.
He was a very responsible, hardworking, and methodical person, always expecting completion from himself and those around him. Until recent years, when his health started failing, he worked 2-3 jobs simultaneously. Through the years, he took care of daily duties for Suds n’ Such Laundry, Broken Bow Inn, and Squeaky Clean custodial service, cleaning Broken Bow Public Schools and Cafeterias. Joe was always quiet in public and was silly, loving, and entertaining with close friends and family. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and could be seen sporting a Steelers jersey or t-shirt on most days. “Joe Joe” found a lot of joy and love in playing with his little buddy’s Kruse and loyal canine Tooter. He also traveled and spent valuable play time making memories with close friends and family.
Joe was also preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Betty Rae and Bill Wakefield, Sr. and Vestal and Audrey Lou Burke.
Joe is survived by one sister Darla Burke Poe and nephew John Poe; one brother Jeffry Dale Burke, nephew Sabastian Burke and niece Steeva Burke; very special friends Roger, Glena and Kruse Ward; several aunts and uncles Betty Jean and Olen Hill, Billy and Jackie Wakefield, the late Maureen and Ros Brown, Lucille and the late James Wakefield, the late Jane Wakefield, Dean and the late Elouise Stewart, Louise and Jack Dean, Myrl and Sam Kemp, Linda and Bill Morrow and the late Becky Burke and a host of cousins and friends.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the Brumley Funeral Home Chapel, Broken Bow. Interment will follow at Hochatown Cemetery.