Elvera Lavonne (Dill) Burke
Elvera Burke Obituary
Elvera Lavonne Burke passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, in Pendleton, Oregon. She was born February 12, 1936, in Rolla, Missouri to Herman Carl Dill and Ruth Louise McHenry Dill.
Her father was in the Forest Service, so the family lived around the country from Michigan, Missouri, Indio CA, Mapleton OR and Pendleton OR. She attended High School in Mapleton where she had many friends like Joyce and Bob McCain, was cheerleader and a Ping Pong champ. The family moved to Pendleton in her senior year where she graduated from Pendleton High School in 1953.
Lavonne met Hobert Carl Dunn who was stationed at Camp Hanford WA. They married in Lewiston ID then located to the east coast living in Pennsylvania and Maryland. They had 3 children Edward Carl Dunn, Lora Jeanette (Jeanie) Eberle and David Paul Dunn. She moved back to Pendleton in 1979 and helped her aging parents. She loved gardening, animals, travel, camping, crocheting, beading, and cooking. She made a wicked apple dumpling that was loved by everyone on both coasts! She worked at the phone company in Pendleton and Walla Walla where she retired.
She married William H Burke in 1987 and stood by his side for 40 years until his passing May 2025.
Lavonne is preceded in death by her parents Herman Carl Dill and Ruth Louise McHenry Dill, son David Paul Dunn, former husband Hobert Carl Dunn, husband William H Burke and brother Richard Steven Dill.
She is survived by her children Edward Carl Dunn (wife Kimberly)-Lakeland FL, Lora Jeanette (Jeanie) Eberle (husband Scott)-Nampa ID. Siblings Patricia Joyce Olson-
Monmouth OR, Stanley Byron Dill-Sparks NV. Grandchildren Gregory Wilson Tippett, Kellie Marie Pingle, Lori Beth Dunn, Jessica Halley Dunn, Nicholas Paul Dunn,
Amanda Jeanne Sadewasser and 8 great grandchildren. And special friends Paul and Maria Davis.
A private graveside service held at Skyview Cemetery in Pendleton arranged by Pendleton Pioneer Chapel and officiated by Pastor Lloyd Commander of Tutuilla Presbyterian Church. Lavonne was a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!