Merlyn ("MC Red") C. Burk

Merlyn C. Burk - 'MC Red', 98, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died Sunday May 19, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas. Merlyn was born June 17, 1920 to Sidney and Edna Burk in Bradley, South Dakota. After High School Merlyn got a job working as an office boy for Warner Hardware. During this time he purchased a car and travelled to the west coast. After his sojourn in California, Merlyn enlisted in the Navy on January 4, 1942. At the end of his service on October 31st, 1947 he was discharged as a Petty Officer 1st Class. During this time he met Frances C. Kunze and after a whirlwind romance they married March 10, 1945 in Long Island, New York. After Merlyn was discharged, he and Fran moved to Minneapolis, Minn. where he went back to work for Warner Hardware. They settled in a new home in Crystal, Minn. in 1956. Merlyn and Frances were blessed with five children: Thomas, Karen, Susie, Donna, and Judy. They enjoyed many summers at their cabin on Sugar Lake in Minn. that became a family focal point for many joyous years. They also loved to travel stateside and overseas including three trips to Ireland to research family genealogy which was Merlyn's favorite hobby. They retired to Bella Vista, Ark., where he was very active in the Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also performed a lot of volunteer work. His first love, Fran, left to join loved ones on September 20, 2003. Merlyn continue to enjoy life of a retiree in Bella Vista Arkansas. It was there he met and married Annette Orlando on October 22, 2005. They shared many happy years in their new home and made many trips to Jamaica and other exotic locations overseas. They loved entertaining, flower gardening and bird watching was a delightful pursuit. Red was a wonderful man, son, brother, husband, father and friend. He cared deeply for his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Annette; sister, Dorothy Sundberg; children, son, Tom and his wife Cindy, daughters, Karen, Susie and her husband Tom, Donna, Judy and her husband Michael; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 22nd at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.