Alton Wayne 'Frog' Burke

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Alton Wayne ‘Frog’ Burke, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was welcomed into his eternal home Tuesday, April 2, 2019 with his loving family by his bedside.

Frog, the son of the late Gerald and Modest Stallons Burke, was born Aug. 28, 1937 in Deering, Mo. He was a member of Twin Springs Baptist Church, and had retired as a building contractor. As a young man in the Mid-South, he boxed out of Senath, Mo. in the Golden Gloves. Frog worked ten years as a building contractor in Granite City, Ill. and 23 years in Poplar Bluff. In retirement, he joined the board of Habitat for Humanity in Poplar Bluff and assisted in the building of several homes.

Frog married the love of his life and best friend Pat Howell on June 30, 1956, in Hernando, Miss. In June they would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Survivors include four children, Rebecca Burke, Karen (Jim) Gerber, Sandra McKim and David (Shawna) Burke, all of Poplar Bluff; nine grandchildren, Barbara Burke of Jonesboro, Ark., Heather Gerber (Jeremy McNail) of Ozark, Mo., Bobby (Morgan) McIntosh of Poplar Bluff, Abby (Brent) Lane of Fairdealing, Aaron McIntosh and Emily Burke (Matthew Brown) of Poplar Bluff, Katie Gerber of Roeland Park, Kans. and Calli Gerber and Ryan McKim of Poplar Bluff; three great grandchildren, Gracelynn Lane, Stella McIntosh and Josiah Lane; a sister Melba (Clinton) Hopkins of Kennett; five brothers, Steve (Donna) Burke of Doniphan, Bruce (Janie) Burke of Irving, Texas, Shaun (Kim) Burke of Nixa, Joel (Jennifer) Burke of Doniphan and Billy Allison of Palmer, Alaska; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Two brothers, Bill Burke and Landon Burke also preceded Frog in death.

The visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at noon. The Rev. Roger Mayo will officiate. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Pyramid Home Health and especially Tri-County Hospice for taking such loving care of their husband and dad.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations be made to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 965, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 or to Aging Matters, 1219 N. Kingshighway, Ste. 100, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Alton W. “Frog” Burke; online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.

Paid