BARBARA ANN (BUTT) BURK, formerly Clay County, IN

Barbara Ann (Butt) Burk, 81, of Rossmoor, California, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 19, 2023 after a long battle with dementia.

Barbara was born on July 1, 1942 to John Ray Butt and Goldie Nila (Winn) Butt in Cory, Indiana. During her high school years attending Staunton High School, Barbara met G.L. “Stoney” Burk in 1959, the love of her life, who attended a neighboring high school.

After graduating in 1960, their love continued to blossom until Barbara and Stoney were married in 1961 in Brazil, Indiana. Soon after, they had two sons: Gary Lee “Jeremiah” Burk Jr. and Anthony Scott Burk and moved from Indiana to Southern California. Upon their arrival to California, Barbara and Stoney adopted Deborah Nila Suzette “Suzie” Burk.

During her residency in California, Barbara had a diverse collection of careers, of which included: working at Mattel, working in the banking industry, owning businesses, selling real estate, and being a movie extra. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed volunteering her time to be a Cub Scout Den Mother, a team mom for her sons’ little league teams, babysitting her grandchildren and raising one of them to adulthood.

When she wasn’t dedicating her time to a career or volunteer work, she was involved in several hobbies; some of her favorites including travel, both domestically and internationally, gardening, sewing, reading and tending to the koi pond, of which she designed, in the backyard of her home. Barbara and Stoney also traveled extensively in their motorhome together. Whatever hobby she pursued, she was able to pick up quickly and excelled at.

Barbara was predeceased in death by her parents, John Ray Butt and Goldie (Winn) Butt, her son Anthony Burk and her daughter Suzie Burk, her brothers Eugene “Gene” Butts, Everett Butt, Donald “Don” Butt and George Butt, and her sister Margaret (Meyers) Butt. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, G.L. “Stoney” Burk, her son Gary Lee “Jeremiah” Burk, Jr, her daughter in law Marlene (Hilser) Burk, her brothers Phillip (and Nancy) Butts and Johnny Butt, her sisters Elsie Wheat (Bill) and Judy Rice (Bill), and her grandchildren Nigel Burk (Taylor), Chelsea Van Sickle (Scott), Ciara Burk, her brother-in-law John Burk (Vickie) and many nieces and nephews.

Per Barbara’s request, cremation was performed and her services were private with only close family in attendance at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please make donations in her name to The Alzheimer’s Association. The surviving family would also like to thank Vista Del Mar Assisted Living Community in Long Beach, California for their personal and attentive care.