BURK, John William (Poppy), Jr.

Burk Jr., John William (Poppy) John William Burk, Jr. (Poppy), 82, passed away suddenly, November 27, 2003 in Phoenix, AZ. He was born in Springfield, Ohio on May 19, 1921, where he resided until 1987, when he moved to Phoenix. He was the son of Francis (Mug) (Kelly) and John William (Dad) Burk Sr. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and a graduate of Catholic Central High School, where he was a varsity letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. He served honorably in the United States Air Force, Overseas during World War II. He retired from Robbins and Myers after 44 years of service. He married Mary Kathryn Smith, who passed away in 1987. Their three children Dianne Stidham (Charlie) of Scottsdale and twin sons Terry of Mesa and Timmy (Laurie Sanders) of Phoenix survive him. Also surviving him are grandsons Michael Stidham and Ryan Burk and granddaughters Christine (Stidham) Espinoza, Amber Burk, Regina Burk, Holly Stidham, and Amy Stidham, his sister Joan Freeman of Springfield, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his twin sisters, Anne O'Brien and Helen Hill and brother Gene Burk. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 2nd from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Rd. in Phoenix. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 4th at 1:00 P.M. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3801 E. Greenway Rd. Published in the Arizona Republic from 11/30/2003 - 12/2/2003.