Stephen W. Burger

Peacefully in his sleep, Stephen (Steve) W. Burger passed away on December 13, 2023. He was 80 years old. Steve is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judith (Judy) A. Burger, his daughters Sharon Bois and Kari Cairone, and their husbands and children Mike, Elizabeth, Trevor, and Eric Bois, and Steve, Anna, Ella, and Mia Cairone. Also surviving are his sister, Beverly Peters, and his sister-in law Carolyn Burger. Steve grew up in Mount Laurel, NJ and attended Juniata College where he met Judy on the tennis courts. Steve was a one-of-a-kind father and a devoted, loving husband still telling nurses in the final days “look at my beautiful bride.” He spent 33 years teaching, with most of those years spent in a 3rd grade classroom at Troy Elementary Center East. He loved teaching this age group, cracking elementary school-level jokes (even at home), and holding “auctions” where his students could earn a number of special prizes for being kind to each other or putting extra effort into their work. Steve served in the Army Reserves for 31 years as an instructor for combat engineers, and spent time every summer and on weekends through age 54 keeping up his training. He was a true lover of this country, and he and Judy visited all 50 states and over 40 National Parks in their adventures. He loved his home on Judson Hill Road that he, Judy, and his close friend Harlan Press built with their own hands back in 1977-1978. The view they looked out on every morning always felt “like a peek at heaven”, he would say. One of Steve’s favorite pastimes was enjoying his children and grandchildren and he loved spending time with them at Judson Hill, camping at Knoebels and Fish Creek, on the Jersey beaches, in Disney World and the Disney Cruise, and watching them in various sporting competitions. Steve and Judy’s preference was to donate their bodies to the medical field. There will not be a viewing or funeral, and a memorial service will be held for friends and family in a few months to celebrate Steve’s life. In lieu of sending flowers, the couple asks that donations be made to their home church of over 50 years, Coryland Church, at this address: 3028 Hickory Road, Columbia Crossroads, PA, 16914. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James D. Barrett Funeral Home.