Geneva Ailene Burke Endres

Geneva Ailene (Leek) Burke Endres, age 87, of Murphysboro, passed away at 11: 32 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2006, at Pettett Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating and burial will be at Murdale Gardens of Memory. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday until 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Geneva was born on November 26, 1918, in Hallidayboro, Illinois, to Robert Henry Leek and Jennie (Jarrett) Leek. Mrs. Endres was a mother, housewife and Murphysboro business owner of a restaurant and grocery store. She is a member of Murdale Baptist Church in Carbondale. Geneva was married to William B. Burke, Sr., and later married Henry Endres, and both husbands preceded her in death. She is survived by four children, James Burke and his wife Connie Burke of Billings, MT, Patricia Prost and her husband Wally Prost of Carbondale, Ruth Bean and her husband Gerald "Jerry" Bean of Elkville, and Richard Burke and his wife Rebeca of Veracruz, Mexico; one daughter in law Erma Burke of Cambria, IL fourteen grandchildren Michael Burke and his wife Diane Burke, Mark Burke, Debbie Carruth and her husband Russell Carruth, James Burke, Cheryl True and her husband Randy True, Jeff Tolbert and his wife Mary Ellen Tolbert, Tommy Johnston and his wife Joanie Johnston, Tina Wall and her husband Brent Wall, Joe Scott Johnston, Timothy Johnston and his wife Kadi Johnston, Patty Williams and her husband Mark Williams, Edward Perks, Charlie Burke and his wife Rosa Burke, and Julie Burke; thirty five great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; several step children and step great grandchildren; three nephews Stephen Leek and his wife Penny Leek, Barry Leek and his wife Susan Leek and Larry Leek and his wife Mary Ann Leek, and other extended relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by one daughter Sandra Perks, and one daughter in infancy Elizabeth Burke, two sons Rev. William Burke and Charles Robert Burke, one granddaughter Lisa Burke, two great grandchildren, three brothers, two sisters, and her parents. "Mother was a special mom. She spent twenty dedicated years of rearing seven children. Family businesses kept us all very busy during those years. One of our fondest memories as a child was gathering at the piano as she played hymns and we all sang. Her life was centered on her family."

Geneva Ailene Burke Endres

November 26, 1918 - March 1, 2006