Marion L. "Les" Burke, 81, died October 30, 2008 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born December 24, 1926 at McGhee, Arkansas, the son of Edgar Lewis, Jr., and Birdie J. (Kerr) Burke. His first wife was Betty L. Douthitt. He later married Connie Castaneda Rocha July 23, 1968 at Great Bend, Kansas. A driller for D. R. Lauck and an oilfield bit salesman for Reed Tool, Mr. Burke was a lifetime resident of Hoisington and Great Bend, Kansas. He was a United States Navy veteran, serving during World War II. Mr. Burke was a member of First Assembly of God and the Masonic Lodge, both of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Connie Burke, of the home; two sons: Lester Burke and wife, Sharon, Ellinwood, Kansas; and Gary Burke and wife, Anna, Great Bend, Kansas; three daughters: Dana Abrams, Great Bend, Kansas; Belinda Peters, Great Bend, Kansas; and Karla Engler, Great Bend, Kansas; one step-son, Gregory Rocha and wife, Angie, Dodge City, Kansas; one step-daughter, Susan Vokland, Dodge City, Kansas; eleven grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph L. Burke; and one grandson. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home. Pastor Dwight D. Dozier will officiate. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2008 with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Barton County Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.