William E. Burkey

William Eugene “Bill” Burkey, 98, of Shamokin Dam, passed onto a well-deserved rest in the arms of Jesus on March 12, 2026, with his family by his side.

Born July 10, 1927, at home in Urban PA, he was a son of the late Harvey and Carrie (Lahr) Burkey.

He attended Urban Schools.

On August 23, 1953, he married the former June C. Snyder who preceded him Sept. 21, 2007.

Bill worked hard all of his life helping on the farm. He picked stones for the PA Road System at only a few years of age, working the limestone kilns, worked in a dress factory, delivered his mothers baked goods to markets, helped neighbors and friends with butchering, canning, building homes, barns, factories, etc. then Uncle Sam called and he served honorably in the United States Air Force.

A wood butcher (carpenter) by trade, he was known for his wood working skills making donkey and carts, doll houses, berry carriers, and anything needed out of wood. He worked for Nissley and Bear Creek Construction on heavy construction building bridges in PA, MD, DE. He would demonstrate how to build the current bridge projects during Sunday dinner using silverware, condiments, plates, and dishes and if you weren’t careful, the fork you were using became part of the bridge deck.

Bill was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Middlecreek Dam, and a founding member of Mandata Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching game shows, westerns, wrestling, and later several ministers on TV. He also enjoyed watching the wildlife in his yard and his Boston terriers.

Bill was a good steward of the land. His overall joy was his gardens, blueberry and raspberry patches, and nut trees. He generously donated produce to local charities. He enjoyed attending carnivals and trips to Roots Market, square dancing, country and gospel music with his all-time favorite the Orange Blossom Special. He always liked a good joke, when asked how he was he would respond mean, hateful, contrary, and bull headed. And when asked how old he was, he would hold up his little finger and say as old as this little finger and when asked how old his little finger was, he would laugh and say as old as I am.

He looked forward to attending the yearly PA Dietsche Fersommling and was proud to speak and read PA Dutch, reading His PA Dutch Bible and Das Boonastiel. His sage advice to anyone asking about his longevity was “the rocking chair will put you away, you have to keep moving”

Bill is survived by his daughters Boneita A. Burkey and Susan A. Burkey, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by brothers Clarence and Henry Burkey; sister Clara Stuck; and nieces Ruth Furman, Carol Stuck, and Cindy Colyer.

In keeping with Bill’s emphatic and explicit wishes, there will be no formal services. Burial will be in St. Paul’s UCC Urban Church Cemetery, Urban, PA.  A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Any donation in Bill’s name may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 420 Whisky Ridge Road, Middleburg, Pa 17842 or to a charity of donor’s choice.

As Bill would always say, “Sei Gut Bis Mer Uns Widder Sehne” (Be Good Until We See Each Other Again).

Arrangements by V. L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove.

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