On Thursday morning May 17 ^th , 2018, Merl Ambrose Burk went to join and meet his Heavenly Father face to face. He was born on August 26, 1921 and lived a Christian life full of love and integrity. We know this was a homecoming for him as he was the last of the 6 children to arrive. His father Emory Burk and his mother Ellen Burk (Fuller) passed on a Christian heritage to all of their children which includes 3 sisters and 2 brothers who predeceased him and in turn has continued to be passed down from generation to generation. It is because of this heritage and our faith in Jesus that we all have hope for our Eternal lives and we look forward to the day we will all be able to join in this celebration.

Merl Burk married Jean Burk (Wallace) on June 20, 1942 and they were married for 65 years. He was a WWII Army Veteran who obtained the rank of Sgt and served in the South Pacific. He leaves behind two daughters, Karen M. Wells (James), Susan J. Bliss (Thomas) and one son, Patrick J. Burk (Suzanne), 10 Grandchildren, and 20 Great Grandchildren. His wife Jean A. Burk predeceased him along with 1 Grandchild and 4 Great Grandchildren and we are assured they were all waiting for him as he entered the Pearly Gates.

On July 25, 2009 Merl remarried to Elizabeth M. Garvin who took good care of him while living on the Indian Lake Campgrounds. After almost eight years of marriage on March 3, 2017 Elizabeth M. (Garvin) Burk passed away.  From March 3, 2017 until his death, Merl's daughter Susan J. Bliss took excellent care of him as his primary caregiver.

Merl entered the tool and die industry after leaving the Army and went to work for Severance Tool in Saginaw Michigan. He eventually went to work for Johnson Carbide where he became an owner of the company before retiring to Florida in 1983. For the past few years he has lived on the grounds of Indian Lake Nazarene and enjoyed riding around on his golf cart, visiting with family and friends, sitting by the campfires and gathering at the snack bar to socialize and talk about the "good ole days". He had plenty of stories to tell. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and loved having his family around. He was the last living charter member of the Sheridan Ave. Church of the Nazarene in Saginaw, Michigan and for the past few years attended Chapman Nazarene in Vicksburg, MI.

Please join us for a celebration of his life at 9am on Wednesday, May 23 ^rd , 2018 at the Chapman Church of the Nazarene located at 7520 East UV Ave., Vicksburg, MI 49097. Viewing will be at 8:30am, Service at 9am followed by an 11am burial service with Military Honors at Fort Custer where his earthly body will be laid to rest beside his wife and our mother, Jean A. Burk. Visitation and Lunch to follow at 12:30 at Chapman Church of the Nazarene.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made and sent under his name to: Indian Lake Nazarene Camp, 8258 Victory St., Vicksburg, MI 49097

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com