Carl Franklin Burge, a father of six and grandfather of eleven, died on Thursday, July 16, 2026.  His family will honor his life and legacy with a funeral service, open to all, at 11am Thursday (July 23) at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church. [7127 Dutchland PKWY, Liberty Township, OH 45044]

Carl was born on January 19, 1953, the day before Dwight Eisenhower was sworn into the Presidency, in Indianapolis Indiana to Gladys N. (Fowler) Burge and William Franklin Burge Jr.  Older brother Bill and younger sister Sandy are still with us, and Carl joins in Heaven his younger brother Jimmy.  Carl graduated from North Central High School and lived much of his life in Fairfield, OH, after moving to the Cincinnati region in his early 30's.

Carl's six children - born across three decades (the 70's, 80's and 90's) to Carl and Christine (Tina) Burge are Gregory Scott Burge (wife Stephanie, grandson Samuel Burge), David Franklin Burge, Benjamin Robert Burge (wife Debby, granddaughters Magnolia and Dalia Burge, grandson Barrett Burge), Christopher William Burge (wife Kacie, grandsons Shepard, Hayes, and Cameron Burge), Michael Carl Burge (wife Kelly, grandsons Banner, Callum, and Lochlan Burge, and granddaughter Ember Burge), and Alexander James Burge.

For more than 4 decades, Carl worked as a restaurant manager, including at Prime n' Wine and Frisch's Big Boy.  Carl was beloved by countless coworkers over the years - all of whom appreciated his warm smile and positive/supportive attitude.  Carl was known for telling good jokes and making great food.

Carl's pride and joy were his six boys, his four daughter-in-laws, and his eleven grandchildren.  Annual trips to a Lakehouse in early June were a good place to find him smiling, enjoying a game of Uno, or taking a quick nap, which he often called 'resting his eyes'.

As a father, Carl loved sports - playing games endlessly with his boys.  Basketball and golf were two favorites, but baseball/football were common, and even tennis on occasion.  He loved eating good food, watching movies/sports, playing games, and vacations.  Florida Beaches, Disney World, an International Cruise, and the Lake House in KY, were some of his favorites.  Carl had a great sense of humor and loved to tell, or listen to, a good story.  With his family he attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hamilton, OH for many years before becoming a member at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church more recently.  As he aged, attending his sons' sports events evolved into attending his grandkids sports events.  His sons, their wives, and his eleven grandchildren loved and cherished him, always enjoying their time together.

Carl was always very close to his loving parents, Gladys and Frank, and to his brother Jimmy, and it brings his family comfort that they will now be reunited in Heaven, through the Christian faith that they shared in our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.