Leonard James Burk
February 16, 1943 ~ August 30, 2024
Born in: Franklin, Pennsylvania
Leonard "Lenny" James Burk, Sr, 81, passed away Friday August 30th at his home with family present, following an extended illness.
He was born February 16, 1943 to the late John Sherman and Hattie Elizabeth (Young) Burk.
He was married July 27,1963 to Donna Lee Shuffstall. He resided on Donation Hill all his life, where he began working on his family farm. Throughout his life, he worked different trades including working at Franklin Steel, Chicago Pneumatic Tool (CPT). He retired from Polk Center in 2004. After retirement, he enjoyed bus tours, a once in a lifetime trip to Australia, and visits with family.
In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting with the "hill" clan, swimming with the neighborhood kids in the family pool, having get-togethers with his family and celebrating his favorite holiday the 4th of July. He also enjoyed driving around and blaring his tunes, showing his patriotic side.
Later in life, he enjoyed being a part of his kids and grandkids lives, sharing their proudest moments and great accomplishments. He loved watching the critters and birds that visited the yard, watching westerns, buggy rides, taking his beloved pups Tillie, Ellsey, and Nell on rides who he also taught to "sing" on his shoulder.
He was known for his sense of humor, joking around, and always getting moms "goat" with a wink in his eye and a devilish grin, along with many other antics such as teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren many bad habits.
Cherishing his memory, he is survived by his loving wife, Donna Lee, of 61 years. He is also survived by four children, Linda Wile of Cochranton, Leonard (Becky) Burk Jr. of Cochranton, Lynea (Kevin) Carson of Tennessee, and Lorie (Dave) Schrecengost of Cochranton; five grandchildren, Leigh (Joe) Martin of Tennessee, Cody (Ashley) Carson of Cochranton, Jesse (Jessica) of Tennessee, Tyler Schrecengost of Cochranton, and Derek Schrecengost of Brighton; along with two step grandchildren, Peter Dilley and Michael Dilley of Franklin; and 11 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter Anne Marie; five brothers, Sherman, Glenn, Clifford, John "Jack" and Dan; six sisters, Margaretta Crawford, Eva Reynolds, Esther Schell, Helen McCarty, Lucy Lepley, and Isabelle Shay.
A special thanks to his niece Joyce and grandson Cody, who helped as caregivers, and to the Hospice of Crawford County.
Per his wishes, there will be no visitation hours. Arrangements are under the care of the Gardinier-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA 16323.
A celebration of his life will be held at his home on September 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Leonard's name to the Hospice of Crawford County, 766 Liberty Street, Meadville, PA 16335; V.E.T.S Honor Guard, PO Box 137, Franklin PA 16323, or to your local pet shelter.
Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Lenny's Book of Memories at www.WarrenFH.com.
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Riding around in the pull behind wagon, while he drove the four-wheeler. The fact he couldn’t keep anything new, he had to spray paint it, but then again he spray painted the old, too. Always had a toothpick. Long rides to nowhere with (root)beer, smokes(candy), and beef jerky. When I was 15ish he handed me the keys to the tracker they had, and he said, “you can drive anywhere where you want just don’t leave dirt, but if you get caught you stole it.. “. Stealing a shopping cart, cause he wanted one.The way we could carry on a conversation for hours., or I could, and he’d listen. How he always was proud of us. He would support us in anything we tried, and encourage to follow our dreams & ideas…The stories he’d tell. The wisdom I absorbed, “Do it right the first time, you won’t have to do it again”, “you won’t believe me til your older, but the older you get the faster the time gets”, “why would you wanna grow up, you don’t wanna”, “If the leaves turn it gonna rain”,”the worms eat the best fruit”, “It don’t matter what I think, you’ll still do what you want to”, “Never put you life on hold for me, I’ve lived my life you live yours”, “don’t worry about what your mom or dad think, it’s your family, they had theirs”, “always follow your heart it’s worth chasing”, “Apple’s don’t fall far from the tree”, “better to burp and taste it then farther and waste it”, “it’ll make your hair curly”, “turkey look over the log”, “better to try it, than wonder what if”, “land never looses value”, & the one I’ll probably miss the most….. coming up the stairs…. :” Hay Hay Pistol How’s it Going..
Xoxo
Pistol
Great grandpa always had beef jerky and gum for us
Working with Leonard was always very special. Whether he was offering advice, telling a story, a joke, or playing a prank on someone, it was never a dull moment. He took wonderful care of the individuals, & had a great work ethic, too. He was a good man, & one I’ll never forget. My heart goes out to Donna, Lynea, Lenny, & the rest of the family. You’re all in my thoughts & prayers. Rest well, Leonard.
The thing I remember the most is he didn’t judge me right away.. and when everyone was bickering or arguing & he would say something, everyone would shut up… He was the man of the house..
My biggest memories of my wonderful uncle Leonard are of being a young child and him sitting at the table in their dining room rolling his cigarettes and of the big family gatherings for all of his kids graduations. You will be forever missed and remembered!!!! Rest In Peace!!!! Your Niece, LuCinda
When I was a child my family would visit the Burk family at their farm on Donation Hill. Leonard would come in from the barn and sit at the kitchen table, drink coffee, and visit.