New Castle, PA - At the age of 89, Wilma (Vlah) Burkey passed away peacefully Nov. 25, 2025, with a smile and profound belief that she would be reunited with her loved ones in Heaven.

Wilma was born April 25, 1936, and raised in the small, mostly ethnic town of Bessemer, Pennsylvania. The middle child of Louis and Amelia (Grbac) Vlah, Wilma's childhood was driven by curiosity, fantasy and wanting to create.

Leaving high school at the young age of 16, Wilma went on to become a gardener, baker, published writer, master seamstress and self-taught carpenter.

Wilma married Virgil Glenn Burkey, the love of her life, on May 20, 1952. Together they created a beautiful life and family, having a son Virgil (George) and daughter Malissa (Missie). Their home was the cornerstone for extended family to gather, bountiful in what Wilma viewed as life's treasures — the roses she planted, the sound of laughter, happy children, the sound of soft rain, the feel of the sun, family home safely and sense of accomplishment.

She is survived by her loving family, daughter and son-in-law, Malissa and Vince Tutino; daughter-in-law, Phyllis (Gallo) Burkey; grandchildren Alyssa (Ryan) Harcar, Blake (Becky) Burkey, Mia (Ryan) Mitchell, Garrett (Caitlin) Burkey, Liza (Darryl) Kerstetter, great grandchildren, Zoey, Marilyn, Mauro, Sydney, Vivian, Martino, Joseph, Darian, Grayson and Myles; and sisters, Francis Kapusta and Jeanne Fusetti.

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; her son, Virgil, in 2014; and her sisters, Vivian Vlah, Caroline Tasota and Rosie Potochnik.

Wilma's family would like to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the incredible caregivers with United Independent Living Solutions and Three Rivers Hospice.

Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory, 3000 Wilmington Road. A private funeral aervice will be held and conducted by Rev. Richard Nero. Burial will be in Castle View Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made St. Judes Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be offered at www.decarbofh.com.