Obituary of Hilton Burkey

Hilton James Burkey was born in LaSalle on December 9, 1934. He was the son of Leo Burkey and Marie (Lajiness) Burkey. Hilton attended Monroe High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving his country honorably from 1954-1956. Hilton was married by his uncle, Justice of the Peace, Arnold Lajiness to the former Evelyn May Harmon on June 27, 1959 in LaSalle. For thirty years, Hilton worked for the Ford Motor Company as a Hi-Lo Driver retiring in 1983. Hilton was a jack of all trades and very mechanically inclined. After retirement he worked in several different fields including farming. He had a heart of gold and loved his family more than anything being very active in their lives. Hilton loved to watch the Detroit Tigers, fish, and he was never far from a deck of cards so he was always up for euchre. He was an avid Ida Football fan attending every game and always taking his perch right at the 50 yard line. Hilton, age 81, of Erie passed away at 4:58pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Toledo Hospital. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by siblings: Isabelle Arnold, Julius, Leo, and Harold Burkey, Beverly Kover, and Shirlene Hovizi. To cherish his memory he leaves a beloved wife of fifty-six years: Evelyn of Erie, six children: John (LeaAnn) of Dundee, Janet (Tracy) Phillips of Petersburg, Hilton James (Peggy) Jr. of Conyers, Georgia, Brenda (Glen) Hoppert of Ida, Karen (Rick) Schlump of Monroe, and Nancy (Tim) Rose of Ida; two siblings: Carl (Donna) Burkey of Monroe and Mary Ann (Joe) Hess of LaSalle; five sisters-in-law: Dorothy, Phyllis, and Hazel Burkey, Carol Coss and Nancy Harmon; two brothers-in-law: James (Paula) Roy and Anthony Clum; sixteen grandchildren: Julie, Curtis, Cassi, Jennifer, Alexander, Ashley, Chad, Lindsey, Glen, John, Erica, Chelsea, Nicki, Missy, Daniel, Jamie; eighteen great grandchildren with one on the way. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Merkle Funeral Service; South Monroe 14567 South Dixie (734) 241-7070. A Celebration of His Life will take place at 12:00pm on Saturday, June 18, 2016 also at Merkle's with Reverend Cindy Semran officiating. Procession will follow to LaSalle Township Cemetery where graveside services will be under the auspices of Monroe VFW Post 1138. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army or Ida Athletic Boosters. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.