MICHAEL BURK

He was born October 26, 1944, in Akron, OH, the son of the late Harold and Genelea Neff Burk.

Mick graduated from West Liberty State College in 1967 and began teaching in Marshall County, WV that same year. He began his lifelong career in education as a science teacher at Moundsville Junior High School where he would also begin his duties in school administration in 1979 as an assistant principal. He would serve as principal at Union Jr. High and Sherrard Jr. High from where he retired after 33 years in the Junior High School environment. Mick’s High School yearbook ambition stated, “to be a Wildlife Manager”, he would joke that after 33 years in junior high school he achieved his ambition.

After retirement Mick would occupy his spare time by researching history, especially the Grave Creek Mound at the Delf Norona Museum and would write two books on the topic with many presentations to follow.

He would be a bus tour guide all over Marshall County from the Moundsville Penitentiary, Marx Toy Musuem, the Mound and to the Palace of Gold. He often would stop at Quality Bakery and buy “Mad Dogs” and split them in half to give to each person on the tour. A true historian, Mick could never soak up enough knowledge, always researching and studying away on his computer.

A fifty-year member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Moundsville where he taught a Non-Traditional Adult Sunday School Class. Mick studied all types of religion, reading not just the Bible, but the Book of Mormon and the Bhagavad Gita, among many. He enjoyed meeting and talking to people of many faiths and considered them all to be his friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sonya Burk Whaley.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Susan Wilson Burk; a daughter, Amy (Marcus Daniels) Burk of Richmond, VA; a son, Matt (Paige) Burk of Dallas, TX; and two grandchildren, Marcus and John Burk.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 5th from 2pm until the time of the Memorial Service at 6pm at Grisells Funeral Home & Crematory, 400 Jefferson Avenue, Moundsville, WV with Pastor Kara Rowe officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Marshall County Animal Rescue League PO Box 13, Glen Dale, WV 26038.