On the evening of Saturday, June 17, 2023, David Everett Burleigh, 82, passed away in his home in East Helena, Montana after a lengthy battle with COPD and heart complications.
David was born March 31, 1941, to Orthel and Catherine (Dosztan) Burleigh in Lowville, New York.
David was raised in New York and married his first wife, Patricia Allen on September 20, 1962, in Rome, New York and had five sons. They divorced in 1972. June of 1973, David married his second wife, Evelyn (West) Burleigh in South Carolina and raised his two young stepdaughters into their adulthood.
In the early 1960’s, David enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served two tours in Vietnam as well as being stationed in Germany and S. Korea. He retired after serving 20 years.
Once retired, he, his wife Evelyn, and his son James moved to Montana in 1985. Montana was Evelyn’s home and a place that he had visited and fallen in love with many times over. David was a horse lover and spent as much time as he could with his two horses, Easter and Irish. Even towards the end he asked his son to take him to visit his horses where he just sat with them. He enjoyed hunting and went with his son and family several times before he could not. David’s steadfast companion and supporter of the last several years was his dog Buddy, who was always by his side and lay near him as he passed.
David was preceded in death by his parents, all four siblings, his son, Dale Edward Burleigh, and his wife Evelyn Burleigh.
He is survived by his children: David James Burleigh (Ladonna), James Robert Allen Burleigh (Donna), Ryan O’Neil Burleigh, Robert Allen Burleigh; stepchildren: Crystal (Richard) Jokela, Candace West, Robert Stein, Lavina Grove (Vern), Carolee Synness; twenty-nine grandchildren; thirty-eight great grandchildren; many close family members and friends; and his beloved dog: Buddy.
Memorial services will be held at Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home on Friday, June 30th, 2023, at 1pm with a viewing at 12pm. David will then be interred at Montana State Veterans Cemetery – Fort Harrison with full military honors. A reception will follow at Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Friday June 30, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Burial with Military Honors
2:20 PM
Friday June 30, 2023
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Helena West Side,
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Friday June 30, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59602
Burial with Military Honors
2:20 PM
Friday June 30, 2023
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Helena West Side,
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Cathy Hamel says
So wish we could the travel to the service and hugs you all! We would love our visits, or when Uncle Dave would drive family over to visit family.
Uncle Dave would always offer getting or bringing Donuts, or offering breakfast at his favorite Cafe in Helena! He would love Showing the kids his horses! Michael shared Uncle Dave had a hose he used as a whip. That impressed Micheal so much, that Uncle Dave was so resourceful!
Mom (Aunt Gladys) Dave was her favorite brother-in-law! I think it was the donuts he shared, must! But he would be kind and thoughtful, and give up his bed when we visited!
My favorite moment with Uncle Dave was when he rescue me when i was in high school, my tirer fell off my car driving home from college! Uncle Dave met me at the gas station to help calm my nerves!
I will miss my Uncle so very much! Sending my love, Cathy