Raymond Burk

Raymond Leonard Burk, 80, of Bellaire, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024, surrounded by his family.  He was born on October 4, 1943, in Dearborn, MI, the son of David and Imogene (Werton) Burk.

Ray graduated from Lansing Eastern High School, and went on to attend the Michigan State Police Academy.  He began his career with the State Police in Battle Creek in 1972 and transferred to Traverse City in 1974 where he worked until his retirement in 1996. Through the years, he spent countless hours gaining additional training, and he was also awarded a meritorious award for investigating a complaint regarding a child.  Ray was an involved member of the Knights of Columbus, the local Rotary Club, and St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Bellaire.

Ray spent much of his time outdoors; whether it was fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, or skiing, he simply loved it all.  He was able to go on several hunting trips in the Western US and Canada for big game animals such as elk, caribou, bear, and moose.  Even though he also traveled to Scotland and England, his favorite place on earth was Lake Superior, his “Happy Place”. 

Ray will be remembered for his loving nature, and his incomparable sense of humor.  He was one of those few special people who never met a stranger…he found common ground with everyone he met.  Those who knew him will most likely tell you these three things about him; he never passed an ice cream shop without stopping, he always had a bag of Lay’s potato chips on hand, and if Ray was up, everybody in the house was up too.  Ray cherished the time spent with family during the holiday season when good food was eaten, and he was able to hand out everyone’s presents from beneath the Christmas Tree.

On November 4, 1994, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, Ray married the love of his life, Julia (Baker) Burk, who survives.  Also surviving are his three daughters, Shelli (Casey) Guthrie of Kingsley, Kelli (Michael) DeBello of Kingsley, and Jennifer (Michael) Lorenz of Laguna Vista, TX, all whom he referred to as his #1; his sister, Mary Ellen (Donald) Woodworth of Lansing; five grandchildren, Adam (Emma) Guthrie, Travis (Meghan) DeBello, Anna DeBello, Thomas Lorenz, and Bradley Lorenz; and he would have been a great-grandfather twice over in August of 2024.  

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral mass will take place Wednesday, February 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Bellaire with the family receiving friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cherryland Humane Society.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com