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LEWISTOWN -- He serves the community with little fanfare. The deeds he performs will stand as his legacy.
For Steve Burk, service can be measured in many ways. Be it service to country or community, or both, his selfless acts lend assistance to those in need as well as recognize and honor those who have served our nation and sacrificed for our freedom.
Since 2012, Burk has been leader of the Barnabus Brothers Men's Group at St. John's Lutheran Church, Lewistown. Along with supporting congregational and community projects and serving local community agencies, the group also helps brothers and sisters in Christ. The Barnabus Brothers also coordinate four benefit hoagie sales yearly that enable the group to serve others.
Among other involvements, Burk and his team help support the Mifflin County Veterans Organization, a local group that continues to grow in membership.
For active-duty U.S. Military and veterans of all generations, support is vital. The horrors of war last far longer than war itself. For many returning home, the nightmares never seem to fade. Outreach groups along with veterans organizations assist to offer help, guidance and advice when necessary.
The Barnabus Brothers and St. John's have supported the MCVO since 2022 by serving the local veterans a dinner at their monthly meeting at the church fellowship hall. In May 2025, the organization moved their monthly meetings to the Reedsville Fire House as increasing attendance simply outgrew the hall at the church.
"An independent group called the Mifflin County Veterans Organization Supporters that includes myself and five others now serve the veterans monthly dinners with attendance totaling 120 veterans and guests," Burk said. "Serving the veterans monthly dinner and thanking them for their service and patriotism is truly rewarding and heartfelt as these brave veterans sacrificed so much for their country and all the citizens. It is very humbling to be able to honor them and recognize them for their national loyalty."
Burk was born in Hollidaysburg, graduating from Hollidaysburg Area High School in 1976. He graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Administrative of Justice. He proudly served the Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for 32 years, retiring in 2021. His resume includes work as a corrections officer, counselor and unit manager at Smithfield Maximum Security Institution, pardons case specialist at the Department of Corrections, central office, secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons appointed by Governor Tom Wolf, director of assessment and classifications at central office and deputy superintendent of centralized services at the State Correctional Institution at Smithfield.
Since 2023, the semi-retired Burk has been employed by the DOC, serving monthly as an instructor at the department training academy in Elizabethtown facilitating Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to staff.
His schedule remains full with community service.
"A Patriot is a citizen who serves their country in an exemplary manner and truly exemplifies the American Spirit by serving others," Burk said. " A Patriot gives back to make their community, state and country a better place to live. As Americans, we have inherent characteristics to help others, a sense of fairness, with a high level of values and integrity."
He holds true to his words. Burk is actively involved with several organizations, including member and president of the Belleville Lions Club, an active participant serving and supporting the Lumina Center, Kid Connection and Shining Light Through the Darkness. He was a member of the Burnham Pool Association that initiated the campaign to reopen the pool in the early 2000's after years of closure and the recipient of the 2016 Mifflin County Roundtable of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Citation.
Burk is humble and has respect for others. He embodies the spirit of every organization he represents. He is thankful for the wonders our nation bestows.
"America is special because of the founding principles of liberty, individual rights a culture of opportunity and diversity that promotes that we live harmoniously in a democracy that was established based on freedoms," he said. "Mifflin County is a very special place to live and raise a family. As a proud resident of 42 years, I have witnessed God's blessings in our community. Citizens having the strength and courage to overcome adversity and crisis and their neighbors being there to support them in an uplifting and Godly manner. We need to come together and stop the division in our community and country by promoting kindness and unity and stop the senseless political differences that plague us on a daily basis. I truly believe in a deep sense of community service to help our brothers and sisters in Christ."
Steve Burk is a husband, father, grandfather, community leader and friend to many. He is also a Patriot.