Todd M. Burke

    Todd M. Burke, 47, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on Sunday (June 30, 2024) at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas.

   Born June 1, 1977 in Manhattan, Kansas, Todd was the son of Michael and Sheila (Bairow) Burke.

   Todd graduated from Wamego High School, Class of 1995. He earned his degree in Automotive Technology from Manhattan Area Technical College. Following school Todd rose from working as an Auto Technician and Service Advisor, to managing an entire automotive repair shop. Todd worked in a variety of contracted positions on Fort Riley including Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Heavy Equipment Operator, and Quality Control Inspector. Most recently, Todd was a Movement Section Lead, helping our troops deploy and return from deployments until health issues forced his retirement. Although he never served, Todd was a patriot who had great love and much respect for our Military. It's no wonder that his favorite holiday of the year is the 4th of July.

    Family was first for Todd. He loved spending time with them, especially his nephew, Michael, taking him to many places and events including monster truck rallies. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed going to lake to fish whenever he could. He loved cooking, challenging himself with preparing dishes he never made before or just seeing who made it the best. He also had a knack for creating mixed drinks that may have sounded a little odd, but were great! A car enthusiast, Todd enjoyed adding to his collection of model cars. In his younger days, he loved to drag race and taking his children to watch them in later years.

    Todd played the Saxophone for many years, and his passion for music led him to become a mobile D. J. for 17 years in the area. He loved singing Karaoke and hanging out with his friends, even if it just meant sitting around and having a good time. He had a huge heart for the people he loved and will be remembered for his kindness and his dry sense of humor.

    Survivors include three children; Kayla Dumais (Sean) of Marston Mills, MA, Aaron Burke Salazar (Susana) of Ames, IA and Brendan Shoemaker of Denver, CO; his brother, David Burke of Wamego, KS; his nephew, Michael Burke of Wamego, KS; an Uncle, Thomas Bairow of Wamego, KS; and an Aunt, Sharon Bairow-Riffey (Don) of Wamego, KS;

    Todd was preceded in death by his parents.

    Funeral services will be held Saturday morning (July 6, 2024) at 10:30 at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego with Pastor Jol Klein officiating. Burial will be in the Wamego City Cemetery.

    Visitation will be Friday evening (July 5, 2024) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

   To honor Todd's memory, the family asks that you wear something colorful like Todd would wear!

    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Caring Neighbors Cancer Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and those may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.