David A BURKEMPER

David was born August 24, 1924 at his home in Old Monroe, MO to Lawrence Burkemper and Barbara Henningfeld Burkemper. He was the 5th child of 7, six boys and one girl. Growing up in the Depression taught him many life lessons such as how to live with less and an appreciation for the little things. For 2 ½ years after high school he attended a seminary college located in Ohio and although he didn’t choose the religious life, this time away from home allowed him to gain independence and confidence as well as cementing him in his faith for the rest of his life. He was drafted into the Army Air Corp in 1943 and served as a Corporal in the China-Burma-India Theatre in World War II as a communications expert/cryptographer which required certain security clearances. You can just imagine the reaction of the residents of Old Monroe to the arrival of the FBI when they were conducting the background check on Dave. After serving his country, he came home and began his career in sales with the pipe and steel industry working for U.S. Steel working in downtown St. Louis. He began courting Virginia (Jenny) Lee Scott from Chain of Rocks, MO in 1951 and married her on January 17, 1953. They resided in the upper level of a two family flat located on Highland Ave in Wellston, MO. Later that year their family began with the birth of their first child, Susan. Two years later Keith was born. Dave and Jenny moved to O’Fallon, MO in 1956 where the family continued to grow with the births of Julie, Beth and according to Keith, in 1967, “another darn girl”, Molly. He and Jenny raised their children with simple priorities of faith, family and most of all, love and were examples for all to emulate. He began working for LaBarge Pipe and Steel in 1962. This allowed for him and Jenny to travel to many places such as Argentina, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Montreal and many locations within the U.S. Their trip to San Francisco held special memories for them and “I Left my Heart in San Francisco” became their song. Over his 40 year career in sales, David was known by many in the industry to be a tough negotiator but also practical, honest and fair. David was a faithful reader of the St Louis Post-Dispatch which he read end to end every day. This allowed him to keep up on current events so that he always knew what was going on in the world. Dave enjoyed watching sports on television or listening to the game on the radio especially the Cardinals and Blues. He encouraged many of his children and grandchildren in their sports endeavors throughout the years. He would attend many games to show his support even if they sat on the bench. He was their biggest fan! David served as a leader in his community as first an Alderman in Ward 1, then Mayor of O’Fallon from 1963-1967. He ran on a platform of “Government is your Business” and pledged to above all be honest. He was a leader and servant to his church as an usher, Eucharistic minister and lector. He sang in the funeral choir for many years until early 2015. He was active in all church functions, and was always seen working all the turkey shoots, fall festivals, and fish frys. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus serving as a 4th Degree Knight and also a member of the Men’s Sodality and a dedicated St Vincent DePaul volunteer. He was truly a devoted man of God. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jenny, 5 Children, 12 Grandchildren, 16 Great-Grandchildren and his sister Bernadette Harke. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the charity, Society of St. Vincent DePaul – Assumption Conference. Donations can be sent to Assumption Parish 403 North Main St. O’Fallon, MO 63366. A visitation with family will be held at Assumption on Nov 27, 2015 from 10 am – 11 am. A memorial mass will be conducted at the same location beginning at 11 am. There will also be a luncheon immediately following mass in the church hall.

David A BURKEMPER

August 24, 1924 - November 17, 2015