E. RODNEY BURKET

E. Rodney Burket, 85, of Martinsburg, passed away on Sunday afternoon, May 26, 2019, at The Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg.

Friends will be received from 4 until the 5 p.m. funeral on Friday, May 31, at Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church. Pastor Brian L. McCall will officiate.

Private interment will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Martinsburg.

Rodney was born on March 12, 1934, in Martinsburg, son of the late Elvin R. and Mary J. (Dilling) Burket.

He married Shirley I. Frye on March 31, 1956, at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Williamsburg.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 63 years; a son, Stephen R. Burket (wife, Pamela) of Ashburn, Virginia; two grandchildren: Joshua S. and Hannah Mae Burket; and a sister-in-law, Janet Burket of Bloomsburg.

He was preceded in death by a brother, J. Edward Burket.

Rodney was a 1952 graduate of Morrison Cove High School, Martinsburg. He was a longtime member of Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church and also a member of the Horseshoe Curve Chapter, Destroyer Escort Sailors of America.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1956 until 1958, attaining the rank of Private First Class.

Rodney retired as a pressman from the Morrisons Cove Herald with 35 years of service and was previously employed at Cove Shoe Factory in Martinsburg for 10 years.

Rodney loved attending old and classic car shows and also enjoyed talking to family and friends, especially about the history of The Cove.

Memorial contributions in memory of Rodney can be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or a local charity of your choice.