Donald W. Burkepile, Jr.

Donald Warner Burkepile, Jr. was born on August 10, 1938 in Springfield, Ohio. He was the first-born son of Donald Warner Burkepile, Sr. and Doris Mae Thomas-Burkepile. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Douglas Edward Burkepile. He is survived by his son, Shawn Donald Burkepile, his sister, Billie Lois (Larry) Pfeifer, his nephew, Burke Lance McDuffie and his nieces, Sarah and Libby.

Donald retired from International Harvester, now Navistar, where he spent 43 years in service and “time management”. After graduating from Northwestern High School, he joined the Ohio National Guards for which he served as a firefighter and was stationed in Verdon, France. While he was in Europe, he was able to visit several countries: his favorite being the Netherlands (Holland).

During his final year in life, many friends, his sister and clergy persons, reminded him of Jesus’ love and forgiveness of sins. We feel confident that Don is now enjoying life with Jesus and feeling no more pain. What a blessing. Don was given a special blessing from Pastor Paul and Linda Bilunka, friends Sherry, Terry, Margie, and others from the Tuesday night study group.

Boating was one of Don‘s favorite activities. Many hours in his boats were spent fishing, a skill he lovingly shared with his son. Another special pleasure of his came when he shared his “catch” with friends and family.

Don was a talker. He loved to share stories with his boating and gun collecting friends. He was never shy. He always had a story to share. His and his former wife’s visits to Indian communities and his collections of Southwest Indian art and books were highlights of his life.

Don played football in high school. He loved the sport. I remember, in the evenings after practice, he would somehow convince his little sister to massage his sore back muscles. Don‘s younger brother Doug wanted so much to emulate his older brother that he signed up to play football while in high school. Doug never claimed to love the sport but wanted only to follow his older brother’s love of football.

For the last three years, Don has spent his time attempting to recover from many health issues at Trustwell Urbana Place. There, he found many friends who enjoyed talking with him and hearing his stories. His presence there is missed. He certainly appreciated all the kind care that he received from the nurses and aides and others at Urbana Place. Hospice and others, nurses, doctors and surgeons at Springfield Regional Hospital helped Don through his latter hours with their kind, gentle help - Mrs. Blackley and Pastor Terry of Cherish Hospice and the Springfield Regional Clergyman, Rick James, contributed to the care.

Jesus comforted His Disciples, as he continues to comfort Don and us today: John 14:1-4 “Do not let your heart be troubled, You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father‘s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 2-4 p.m. with a service beginning at 2:15 p.m. at Jackson Lytle & Lewis Life Celebration Center. Contributions can be given to heart research via The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284–0692.