Lowell Burke

     Lowell Oscar Burke, 95 of Covington, IN passed away on Tuesday June 28, 2022. Born the ninth of ten children to Simon Otha & Olive Iona (Ford) Burke. In 1954, Lowell Married Martha Ruth Bowman in Peru, Indiana & together they had 3 sons.  Dennis (Janet) of Greenfield, passed away in 2014.  Don (Sandi) resides in St. Joseph, IL & Dean (Kristy) resides in Covington.  
     Lowell leaves behind 2 sons, six grandchildren Johanna (Bobby) Burke Hawley, Eric (Kerri) Burke, Daniel Burke, Daren (Lachelle) Burke, Keith Burke & Darius Burke (Allison); five great-grandchildren:  Delilah & Scarlett Burke, Blain & Reid Burke, Sawyer Burke: and numerous nieces & nephews. Lowell was preceded in death by his wife, son Dennis, brothers William (Bill) & George, sisters Florence, Lou Dunham, Agnes Hitchens, Mabel (Billie) Minges, Bessie Boht, Gladys Cunningham & Lucille Walters.
     Known as “Junior” to his siblings, Lowell was raised in & around Converse, Indiana. He was part of the converse basketball team that went to the state tournament in 1944, after high school he served first in the Merchant Marine & later in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After the Army Lowell married his sweetheart and set out to become a physical therapist. He attended Ball State University, then earned his degree in physical therapy from University of Wisconsin at Madison.  Lowell began his career as a physical therapist at the Veteran’s Administration in Marion, Indiana, later transferring to the Danville Illinois VA Medical Center. Lowell & Ruth settled in Covington in 1961.
     In addition to his career in physical therapy, Lowell was also an entrepreneur. He planted a nectarine orchard, selling fruit for many years. Later on, when the nectarine trees stopped producing he converted his land to a small tillable farm for crops, always saving space for his beloved apple & pear trees.  He & Ruth also purchased the Covington Laundromat in 1974 and rebuilt it after the 1980 tornado. They owned & operated the laundromat until selling it 1998. 
     One of Lowell’s many loves was his organ. He greatly enjoyed playing for his family & friends.  Baseball was always important to Lowell. He also loved baseball & was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He started coaching little league when his boys began playing. Lowell stayed on coaching Little League for over 30 years – instilling the love of the game into his boys as well as all his grandchildren.  Lowell was very community minded. He helped with numerous projects including building baseball diamonds & the Trojan Sports Complex. Later in life, Lowell was elected to & served two-terms on the school board. Lowell will be sorely missed by many.
     A private family celebration of Lowell’s life will be held.  His arrangements were entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Covington, Indiana 420 3rd St. Covington, Indiana 47932.  He will be laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery, Covington, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in his name to Covington Little League Baseball and Softball.  Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.