Deacon Thomas Burkemper died Jan. 11 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was 83.

Deacon Burkemper was ordained on Feb. 9, 1985, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop John L. May. He was assigned to and assisted the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Troy from 1985 until his retirement from active ministry in 2004. He served his parish by presiding at baptisms, funerals, Communion services and weddings, as well as ministry to the poor with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Deacon Burkemper was an attorney in private practice in his law firm in Troy. In addition to his private law practice, he served as a prosecuting attorney and county counselor for Lincoln County, as well as running his own family farm.

Deacon Burkemper is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ellen Mary Burkemper, and three children, Thomas “Ben” Burkemper Jr., Rachel Rapp Burkemper and Laura Burkemper Ellenhorm. He was preceded in death by his son Adam McCaffry Burkemper.

Funeral services were private.