Willius Burkey

In Loving Memory OfWillius Burkey Willius Burkey, 85, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 1, 2007, at his home in Seward. He was born on January 12, 1922, to John C. & Sarah (Burkholder) Burkey in rural Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. In his youth, Willius accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at West Fairview Mennonite Church, where he was a member at the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Elaine Stauffer at her parents' home in rural Milford on March 14, 1944. To this union were born four children: Fred, Dan, Sara and Mary. Willius and Elaine lived and farmed in the Friend and Beaver Crossing areas until they moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1961 for health reasons. In Phoenix, he worked at a cabinet shop, drawing blueprints, building and installing cabinets. Many of the cabinets were built for the Sun City, Arizona retirement community. In 1970, Willius and his family moved back to Beaver Crossing to help care for his mother. During that time, he started Country Wood Shop in the Beaver Crossing area. After his mother's death, Willius and his family returned to Phoenix where they owned and operated a trailer court and rentals. They enjoyed welcoming the many snowbirds who wintered there. Willius and Elaine moved to Wickenburg, AZ in 1988. In both Phoenix and Wickenburg, they cared for Elaine's parents. When Willius developed symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, they moved back to Nebraska in 1999 to be closer to family. In 2002, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Willius loved and spent many hours reading and studying the Bible. He began each morning whistling the song and quoting the words, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). He enjoyed woodworking and spent many hours crafting furniture, cabinets and wooden games and puzzles in his own shop. Survivors include his wife, Elaine, Seward; son and daughter-in-law, Dan & Linda Burkey, Parker, CO; daughters and son-in-law, Sara & Galen Yoder, Mylo, ND and Mary Burkey of Seward; 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Lloyal & Faye Burkey, Beaver Crossing; sister and brother-in-law, Esther & Ivan Nisly, Independence, OR; daughters-in-law, Bonnie Burkey, Wahoo, Lennice Longstein of Fremont; sisters-in-law, Erma Burkey, Milford, Nina Burkey, York, Verneal Burkey, Seward, Imogene Hostetler, Dorchester; brother-in-law, Cleve Stauffer, Lincoln; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Willius was preceded in death by his parents, John & Sarah Burkey; son, Fred; brothers, Melvin and Floyd; sister, Dorothy Burkey; an infant sister; parents-in-law, Philip & Verna Stauffer; brother-in-law, Dale J. Hostetler and a sister-in-law, Sally Stauffer. Services are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at West Fairview Mennonite Church, Rural Beaver Crossing, with Pastor Gale Oswald officiating. Interment is in the church cemetery. Visitation is Monday, 11:00 to 9:00 with family receiving friends 7-9 at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford, and also 1 hour prior to services at church. In leu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford, is entrusted with arrangements