Marilyn Burke

Marilyn Burke, 83, of Champaign, IL passed away Saturday (January 28, 2023) at Carle Hospital, Urbana, IL. Mrs. Burke was born October 31, 1939, in Champaign, a daughter of William and Mary Wilson Cavanaugh. She married Larry Burke on December 26, 1959 in Champaign. He survives. Also surviving is her daughter, Kelly Welborn (Jeff Evosovich) of Sidney, IL. Her son, Michael Burke (Gina Chaney) of Atlanta, GA. Four grandchildren, Whitney Kirby (Eric) Philo, IL, Carter Burke, Phoenix, AZ, Haley Miller (Michael), Sidney, IL and Hayden Burke, Chicago, IL. Four great-grandchildren, Landrey, Lillian, Dane, Layla and several nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents; her sister Carol Elston and brother Bill Cavanaugh and in-laws. Marilyn was educated at Champaign Central Highschool and Parkland College. She worked at Chanute Airforce Base, Champaign Municipal Employees Credit Union, University of Illinois, Social Security Administration and was a real estate agent. She ultimately retired in 1995 from Department of the Army, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) as a Budget Chief. She earned many awards at CERL and received Employee of the Year in 1985. Her ultimate passion was flower gardening. She won the prestigious award of Champaign-Urbana in Bloom in 2004 for her beautiful home floral and yard landscape. Marilyn was a spouse member of the C-U Elks #2497 in Savoy. She was presented with Lady Elk of the year award in 1996 and enjoyed spending time there with friends. She loved to play her piano and taught the children in her life how to read music. Marilyn grew up in the First United Methodist Church, Champaign, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior early in life, and a member of the Seymour United Methodist Church. She was a devoted and loving wife of 63 years, a beautiful, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Marilyn requested a family only memorial service. Memorial gifts may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.