DARRELL EDWIN BURKEY – Obituary
Darrell Edwin Burkey of Franklinville on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Age 76. Husband of 55 years to Penelope Mahlyn (nee Clark) Burkey. Father of Christopher Aubrey Burkey (wife Mallory) of Forest Lake, MN; Jeremy Isaac Burkey (partner Amber) of Williamstown, NJ; and Nicolas Aaron Burkey (fiance Amber) of Mullica Hill, NJ. Grandfather of Bane, Waden, and Nora Burkey. Brother of Elaine Bunge, Ralph Burkey, and the late Gary Burkey. Son of the late Kenneth & Lena (nee Brown) Burkey.
Born in Mount Pleasant, IA and raised in Salem, IA, Darrell was a 1964 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. He proudly served four years in the US Navy on the Forrestal-class supercarrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) from 1966 to 1970 during the Vietnam War earning the rank of Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer, Third Class. The USS Saratoga was in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1968 for an overhaul when Darrell met his future wife, Penelope. They married on August 17, 1968, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Westville, NJ.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Darrell and Penelope moved to Mason, OH where Darrell worked for Yost and Wall Construction. While living in Ohio, Darrell was a volunteer firefighter and life squad member. The young bride was homesick, so the couple moved to Franklinville, NJ in 1976 to be near her family. Darrell worked for Fabbri Builders for a time before starting his own company which grew over the years to its high point of having over 80 employees working many jobs across the state. In the 90’s, Darrell transitioned to the position of General Manager for Kejzman Enterprises, where he worked until his death.
Outside of work, Darrell enjoyed work, whether for his sons, other family members, or friends. He truly enjoyed being there for others. His heart for them was huge and was such a blessing to so many. Darrell enjoyed going shooting with his boys and going to Phillies games together, and he always made time in his busy schedule to attend his boys’ sporting events. In the last few years he enjoyed a night out with his wife at their old haunts and a nap in the chair with Minute, his Chihuahua.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Funeral service at 11:30 AM. Interment at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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