Arthur C. Burkey
July 7, 1924 — January 28, 2015
Arthur C. Burkey, 90, of Quaker Valley Road, New Paris, formerly of Richland, originally from Ebensburg, died Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at Select Specialty Hospital, in Johnstown. He was born on July 7, 1924, in Beaverdale, a son of the late Arthur O. and Adelia (Theys) Burkey. On August 9, 1982, in Cumberland, MD, he married Jean M. Petersen-Burkey, his wife of 28 years, who preceded him in death on June 1, 2010. He is survived by the following family: a daughter, Connie Klinehans, of Nanty Glo, a step-daughter, Sandra Jean Petersen of New Paris, a step-son, Ernest L. Petersen III, married to the former, Barbara McClain, of Westmont, three grandchildren: Heather Noble, of Ebensburg, Stacy Schenk, of Revloc, and Jed Klinehans, of Nanty Glo; three step-grandchildren: Margo McClain Baumann of Pensecola, FL, Dr. Elijah Joel Petersen, of Rockville, Md, and Rachel Lynn Vucic, of Mt. Joy two great-grandchildren: Kylea and Jakeb Noble; five step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Kovach, of Ebensburg, and a loyal cocker spaniel, Katie. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice (Graham) Burkey.
Mr. Burkey was a 1942 graduate of Ebensburg Cambria High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, and was a WWII veteran. He was assigned to a destroyer escort the USS Acree, where he served 36 months in the Pacific as a radar technician and then was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked as a postmaster for over 33 years in Ebensburg. He was a member of the Crossroads Bible Church, the Bedford American Legion Post #113, Ebensburg VFW, and, he received his 50 year pin from the Summit Lodge #312, F&AM Masonic Lodge in Ebensburg. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, bowling and playing golf.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with Pastor Mark Dillow, officiating, burial at Richland Cemetery. Full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard at the funeral home.
Friends will be received on Sunday, from 1-4 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers those wishing may make memorial contributions in Arthur’s name to: Bedford County WWII Monument, 131 S. Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522; or Love INC of Bedford County, 80 State Street, Everett, PA 15537. Our online guestbook is available at www.berekbilefuneralhome.com