Obituary of Chris Richard Burkemper

A Mass of Christian Burial for Chris Richard Burkemper Old Monroe, MO will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church near Old Monroe. Father Richard Rath, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, will officiate with burial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery near Old Monroe. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Alex Burkemper, Nathan Burkemper, Ben Gifford, Kyle Burkemper, Tyler Burkemper and Matt Richardson. Mr. Burkemper's services are under the direction of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Winfield, MO. Mr. Burkemper, 89, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2015 at his home in Old Monroe. Born January 14, 1926 in Old Monroe, he was the son of Alex and Rose Wehde Burkemper. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy Seabees from June 27, 1944 until he was honorably discharged on June 1, 1946. Chris was united in marriage on June 9, 1948 in Old Monroe to Virginia Lee Hemmer. This union was blessed with five children: Darrell, Bill, Charlene, Randy and David. A lifelong resident of Old Monroe, Chris owned and operated Burkemper Dairy Farms. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and the Old Monroe Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Old Monroe American Legion Post #420. Chris and Virginia enjoyed dancing and spending time with their family. He was also an avid card player and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Rose Burkemper; three brothers: Victor Burkemper, Art Burkemper and Sylvester Burkemper (who died as a child); four sisters: Evelyn Cook, Katy Hill, Theresa Lindemann and an infant sister, Blanche Burkemper. Survivors include his beloved wife of 66 years, Virginia Burkemper of Old Monroe; four sons, Darrell E. Burkemper and his wife, Janet, of St. Paul, MO, William J. "Bill" Burkemper and his wife, Joann, of Old Monroe, Randy C. Burkemper and his wife, Paula, of Old Monroe and David L. Burkemper and his wife, Ann, also of Old Monroe; one daughter, Charlene M. Gifford and her husband, George, of Moscow Mills, MO; twelve grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. He also leaves two sisters: Rose Ann Coose of Florida, and Sister Wilhelmina Burkemper of Oldenburg, IN; several cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Old Monroe Knights of Columbus Hall. Memorials may be made to Masses or the Immaculate Conception Building Fund in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.