Pastor Harold Burkey

May 10, 1928 ~ February 1, 2016
Pastor Harold Burkey, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, surrounded by family. Pastor Burkey faithfully served the Lord for many years and in many ways. He was born to William Dale Burkey and Rose Lucille (Montgomery) Burkey on May 10, 1928. He graduated from Walnut High School and has been inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame for Bureau County for his football career. Being a member of the greatest generation, he served in World War II with the Navy. When he left the Navy, he moved to Chicago and got a job in a laundry working for his future father-in-law. He went on to study at Moody Bible Institute and graduated with high honors. Continuing on with his study, he went to Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating and going on to serve the Lord as a pastor and counselor. After graduating from seminary he went on to pastor several different churches. The most recent churches being Church of the Open Door in Harwood Heights, Princeton Bible Church in Princeton and Mendota Bible Church in Mendota. His love for the Lord shone through his life, his ministry and his service to others. He helped to start the Princeton Ministerial Association and the community''s Benevolent Fund. He also served many years as as prison/jail chaplain with the Princeton Police Department and the Bureau County Sheriff''s Department, and State Prisons He married Donajean Bloch on Oct. 8, 1949. They had six children. He is survived by his wife, Donajean, and his children, Kathryn (Derek) Wittner, Michael Burkey, Janice (Brian) Hoffman, Bruce Burkey, Brenda (Christopher) Nagle and Marcia (William) Uyeda; two brothers, Darryl Burkey of Atascadero, Calif., and Benjamin (Pat) Burkey of Winston-Salem, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Gayla (Joe) Jordan of Smithfield, Miss.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; one brother, Ramon Burkey; one sister, Iris Spaulding; and two sisters-in-law, Faye Burkey and Sharon Burkey. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton with Pastor Gary McKee and Pastor Derek Boggs officiating. Private burial will be at the Peru City Cemetery with military rites accorded by Princeton American Legion Post 125. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home Princeton. Memorials may be directed to the Emergency Fund at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton or Lebanon Valley Youth For Christ, 740 Willow St., Lebanon, PA 17046.
My most beloved Brother. Example, testimony, “Man of God” and one who lived out his faith on a consistent, day-by-day witness. Though physically distant from you in recent years yet reminded of you by your challenge to “walk” upright in our Lord.
Blessed is the man that walks with the lord. Rest easy Uncle we’ll take it from here
Pastor Burkey was an awesome man of God. My dad Ken Anderson always thought so much of him. They shared so much when building the church. Working many a nights. He is finally home. I know My parents are excited to see him.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers for all of you at this time of sorrow.