William E. Burke Jr.

William “Bill” E. Burke Jr., age 88, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on the morning of August 30, 2026 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.

Services for Bill will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026 beginning at 11:00 A.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Memorials in Bill’s name may be directed to the Marshalltown Police Department or to the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

William Earl Burke Jr. was born December 25,1937 in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the son of William E. Sr. and Lillie (Ledtje) Burke. Bill grew up around the Marshalltown area and surrounding counties with his family and four siblings. Bill attended school in Marshalltown later graduating from Marshalltown High School in 1957.

On June 30, 1957, Bill was united in marriage to the love of his life, Claudia Miller at the Marshalltown Church of the Nazarene. In his early 20’s, Bill served in the Iowa National Guard for two years before transferring to the United States Army Reserves. He and Claudia made their home in Marshalltown and raised four children, Cathy, Chris, Linda and Billy. Over the years, Bill worked for Fisher Controls, Dunham Bush and the Marshalltown Trowel Company. In addition, from 1975 until 2003, Bill served as a reserve police officer for the Marshalltown Police Department as a volunteer. During his time with the reserve force he made a close friendship with Mel Ruopp and often took patrol duties together.

In his free time, Bill enjoyed trap shooting at the gun club, attending demolition derbys, hill climbing on his motorcycle and had a love for horses. Bill never knew an animal to be a stranger. He always took in and cared for the neighborhood stray cats making sure they were fed and loved. In later years he took up flight lessons and always looked forward to the annual trip to the Iowa State Fair in August. Bill loved all of his family and will miss them greatly. He will also miss the special moments where he made memories with his son-in-law, Philip.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his three children, Cathy (Mark) Woodruff of Marshalltown, Chris Landas of Marshalltown and Linda (Philip) Linser of Ankeny; his 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren with another on the way and one great-great grandchild. Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Gordon (Kay) Burke of Marshalltown, sisters-in-law, Linda Burke and Marie Cronk; brother-in-law, John Winters; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He is rejoined with his wife, Claudia; son, Billy Burke; parents William E. Sr. amd Lillie Burke; and siblings, Muriel Burke and Gaylen Burke.

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