He was born June 4, 1958, in Sedalia, a son of Eugene and Martha Wiemholt Burke.
Mr. Burke was raised and educated in Boonville. He entered the United States Air Force after high school, and later worked as a special investigator for the Department of Defense. Mitch lived most of his life in California and was a computer programmer and did consulting for many companies around the United States.
At the time of his death he was senior data base administrator at Walt Disney Television, Animation, and DisneyTune Studios, in Burbank, CA.
Surviving are his mother, Martha McKee, and stepfather, Wendall McKee, both of Sedalia; three brothers, Tony Burke and his wife Dori, of Columbia, MO; Mike Burke and wife Delores, of Pilot Grove; Terry Burke and his wife Jill, of Boonville; a sister, Gina Viertel and her husband Tim, of Boonville; three step-brothers, Mitch, Andy, and Pat McKee; a step-sister, Mary Mullins; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Eugene Burke; his paternal grandparents, Paul and Betty Burke; and his maternal grandparents, Paul and Marie Wiemholt.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2005 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with Rev. Father Tom Albers officiating. Pallbearers will be Melvin Mullins, Andy McKee, Pat McKee, Pat Moon, Tony Moon, and Dan White. There will be a flag presentation conducted by V.F.W. Post 2591. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Friends may call after 10 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2005, at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel, where the rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. with visitation to follow.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Sacred Heart School Fund in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.