Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home

01/05/2026

The loss of a child is an unimaginable heartache that changes everything. If today feels difficult, give yourself space to move through it in the way you need, at the pace you need. Grief belongs to you, and only you can know how it should be carried.

12/29/2025

"Have you considered which traditions you want included in your service?"

Include what shaped you. Faith-based rituals and cultural practices give structure to grief, and the ones that mattered to you in life should show up in your goodbye. That might mean Catholic mass, Jewish prayers, smudging sage, or something your family has done for generations. If you grew up in one tradition but moved away from it, talking about what you do and don't want helps your family navigate that tension.

These conversations get complicated when different generations hold different beliefs, but having them now prevents confusion later. We work with all faith traditions and cultural practices, and we'll help your family coordinate whatever rituals feel right to you.

12/24/2025

Funerals matter because they give you a chance to say goodbye in a way that feels right, while also bringing the closure and understanding you need to carry the loss with you.

They help you shift from loving someone in everyday life to honoring them through stories, legacy, and memories that last forever.

When you’re ready, we’re here to help you find comfort in a service that feels true to your family.

12/21/2025

Children want to help when someone they love has died, and giving them small jobs at the funeral makes them feel useful during such a hard day, and helps the process their grief. Suggest they hand out programs, help with flowers, or just greet people as they come in, always giving them the choice and control to opt in or out. These little tasks give kids something to do with their hands and hearts when everything feels too big and sad. We love helping families figure out which role feels right for each child.

12/17/2025

"What is a cremation casket?"
A cremation casket is designed to be cremated along with your loved one. These caskets use wood or other combustible materials without heavy metal parts that can't be cremated.
Cremation caskets range from simple containers to more elaborate options, depending on what feels right for your family and whether you're planning a viewing. If you're having a viewing, we can walk you through what's available and help you decide what makes sense for your family.

12/17/2025

Clara Mae Fricks

CLARA MAE FRICKS, 86, Freeport, IL, departed this life Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Born March 14, 1939, in Okolona, Arkansas, the daughter of Romie Wiley, Sr. and Hazel Rae Payne. On May 27, 1957, Clara married Oradell Fricks in Flint, MI. Clara was a full-time stay-at-home mom. She loved cooking and baking. It was not unusual for her to cook turkey and dressing in July at the request of family members. Clara enjoyed spending time with her family and friends....

View Clara Fricks's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/15/2025

Toni Lynn White

Toni Lynn White, 61, of Forreston, IL, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025, at FHN Memorial Hospital. She was born April 9, 1964, in Freeport, IL, to Darius and Sherrie (Monigold) Pohl. Toni married William White Jr. on May 18, 1989, in Freeport, IL and were again united in marriage on May 18, 2002. Her hobbies included road trips with her husband Bill, shopping, playing Slots at Tony’s and Cimino’s, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She...

View Toni Lynn White's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/11/2025

Some people whisper messages to butterflies when they miss someone who died. You can write it down, say it aloud, or think it as one drifts by. These moments give your love somewhere to go and can bring a flutter of connection when grief feels close. Even saying “I love you” to the world around you can offer comfort in ways you might not expect.

12/10/2025

Terry Jean Fox

GERMAN VALLEY Terry Jean (Russell) Fox, age 78, died after a decade’s long illness with congestive heart failure on December 9, 2025, in German Valley, Illinois. Terry was born on October 2, 1947, in Dallas, Texas and lived nearly all of her life in Rockford, Illinois until moving to German Valley 4 years ago to care for her daughter until her death. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1965 and Northern Illinois University in 1989 with a degree in...

View Terry Jean Fox's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/08/2025

What setting feels most like home to you? 🏡

The place you choose for your service shapes how the day feels. Each setting creates its own tone, which guides how people gather and remember. Our funeral home offers structure and support when your family needs it most. Churches and places of worship connect your service to your faith community and the traditions you value. Family property makes things intimate and personal, while an outdoor space under the trees might feel more like you than any building ever could.

The place should match who you were and what your family needs to say goodbye well. When you tell them where you picture your service happening, you help them create something that feels true to you instead of guessing what you might have wanted.

12/06/2025

Judith A. Eikstadt

Judith A. Eikstadt, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on December 3, 2025. She adored her family and nothing brought more joy than time spent with her grandchildren, who lovingly named her “Gigi.” Judy graduated from Freeport High School; she fondly remembered her time on the swim team. Robert “Bob" Pals came into her life and they soon married. Bob and Judy then had Stacey and Tracey. The family often went camping and canoeing and spent many weekends playing cards...

View Judith A. Eikstadt's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/06/2025

Have you ever noticed that when you gather to honor someone, you share a mix of favorite and new stories?

Maybe your cousin shares how your aunt always seemed to have a sandwich in her purse for you no matter where she was, or someone mentions those handwritten birthday cards with little drawings inside.

Soon you're smiling through your sadness, surrounded by people who each carry pieces of her story. Together you realize this gathering is exactly what everyone needed. This is why funerals matter.

What's a memory from a funeral that surprised you with how much comfort it brought?