The Lord called Joseph Louis Burke Jr., MD on October 1, 2022. Born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois by loving parents, Joseph Louis Burke and Lucy Urbatis Burke, he and his sister Marcie (Mrs. Thomas Reedy) were raised with an appreciation of the values of honesty, kindness, and hard work.

Joe attended St. Anastasia Catholic Grade School, where he was a fine student and served as an altar boy. He started caddying at the age of ten at Glen Flora Country Club, where he later became a member. At Waukegan Township High School (as it was known then), he excelled in basketball, tennis, golf and debate. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, on a Chick Evans Scholarship, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960.

Joe also received a scholarship to attend the University of Illinois School of Medicine, Chicago, where he met his wife of 60 years, Mimi (Mary Lee Duggan Burke). He loved to say that he “picked her up at a fraternity party.” Mimi, on the other hand, called her parents the next day to say she “met the guy she was going to marry!” They soon did and became parents of four wonderful daughters: Genevieve (Geni), Marylee (Mimi, Mrs. Jeffrey Krouse), Colleen (Mrs.
Dean Wooton), and Kathleen (Katie). Later, two precious granddaughters (Josey Krouse and Katherine Young) added to their happiness.

Joe completed his medical internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, where the teaching motto was “See one, do one, teach one.” Joe learned quickly and was taught by the best. The first delivery he saw was his own daughter, Geni. Later, Joe also delivered his Katie when Mimi’s regular OB doctor was busy in surgery.

Joe served two years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and returned to his hometown to establish his Obstetrics and Gynecology practice, serving Waukegan and its surrounding communities for 30 years. He felt privileged to assist thousands of mothers in bringing new life into the world during his gratifying medical career. Always forward-minded and noticing the changing future of medicine, Joe pursued and received an M.B.A. from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in 1993.

The Burke family enjoyed 35 years at their second home in Wisconsin, “Burke’s Broadwalk,” on Black Oak Lake in Land O’Lakes, as well as their time in Lake Forest, Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan. Joe and Mimi retired to Vero Beach, Florida in 1998, where they joined Hawk’s Nest Golf Club. They loved fishing and cruising on their boat, “Happy Jose,” playing bridge, and entertaining family and dear friends.

Joe loved and was loved. His life was good…and he knew by faith the best was yet to come!

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at a later date. Those who wish to remember Joe may donate to his favorite charities: The Evans Scholar Foundation and Catholic Charities.

Arrangements are under the direction of Millennium Cremation Service, Sebastian, Condolences may be shared online at www.millenniumcremationservice.com.