Meet Our Chaplain & Vice President

Brian Burk
Chaplain & Vice President

For Brian Burk, caring for people through life’s most difficult moments has always been a calling.

Throughout his life, Brian has served others in many different ways—protecting communities, advocating for people, building lasting foundations, and helping individuals find hope when they felt there was none left.

Brian served as a Reserve Police Officer for 16 years, where he learned the importance of compassion, calm presence, and meeting people where they are during some of their most challenging moments. His years in law enforcement strengthened his ability to listen, support, and walk alongside individuals and families experiencing uncertainty and crisis.

For 30 years, Brian worked as an electrician, bringing dedication, precision, and problem-solving to every project. He understood the importance of doing things safely, correctly, and with excellence. During his career, Brian also served as a union representative, where he had the privilege of advocating for his coworkers, protecting workplace safety, and ensuring that people’s voices were heard. That commitment to protecting and serving others has remained a consistent thread throughout his life.

Beyond his professional work, Brian has spent years serving in recovery ministries, helping individuals who felt lost, broken, or forgotten rediscover hope and rebuild their lives. His passion has always been seeing the value and dignity in every person and reminding them that their story is not over.

Brian’s journey into hospice ministry became especially personal through his own family’s experiences. He and Maryann experienced the comfort of hospice house care while walking alongside their fathers during their final journeys. Those experiences showed them the incredible gift hospice can be when families are surrounded by compassionate, knowledgeable support.

Later, when Maryann’s mother received hospice care, they experienced a very different reality—one that revealed the gaps many families face when navigating end-of-life care. Together, those experiences deepened their commitment to creating The Willows Hospice: a place where families receive the compassion, communication, and support they deserve.

As Chaplain at The Willows Hospice, Brian provides spiritual and emotional support to patients and families, honoring each person’s beliefs, values, and life story. He believes every person deserves to be heard, every life deserves to be honored, and no family should walk the hospice journey alone.

Brian lives out The Willows Hospice promise:

Comfort. Clarity. Connection. Bringing the Calm.

Through compassionate presence, meaningful conversations, and genuine connection, Brian helps patients and families find peace, hope, and reassurance during life’s most sacred moments.

Outside of his work with The Willows Hospice, Brian enjoys spending time with family, kayaking, fishing, golfing, and exploring new places through travel with Maryann. He believes some of life’s greatest blessings come from the relationships we build and the moments we share along the way.

“Every person has a story worth hearing, a life worth honoring, and a legacy worth remembering.”

Kimberly Gustin

4 weeks ago

The Willows’s Hospice Team is extraordinary and was such a blessing to me and my family. I knew from the first initial phone call and intake with Shelley to meeting the nurses and staff there was no doubt we made the right decision.

The love and compassion every single person with the Willows gave to my sweet Mama and our family was outstanding and will forever be in our hearts.

Every nurse, aide , office staff and chaplain were so incredibly compassionate helpful supportive and provided guidance with clarity during the most stressful difficult times in our lives . Sometimes there are just no words for what you are going through and somehow the nurses always knew what to say and do in the most caring loving way.

I highly recommend the Willows Hospice for your loved ones end of life journey in my humble opinion they are the one and only choice to make for your family.

Ann Brettin

1 month ago

I can't thank you all for your love and compassion and care that you gave my mom during her journey to heaven. Your faith in God gave us such peace and joy. Maryann and Angelic were amazing. Maryann even prayed with my dad and talked with him a lot. I would recommend this hospice to everyone i know. I love you all and God bless you.

Sheila Chandler

This is an absolutely wonderful team of professionals. Maryann, Toni, Amber, Brian are the most compassionate people to have assisting you with your loved ones during their final days. My Sister, Georgia, could not have been in better hands. They were there for us day and night!! We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Dana Peterson

2 months ago

Our family is forever grateful to the entire team at Willow Hospice in Crown Point. From the very beginning through the end of our loved one’s journey, every member of the staff treated her—and all of us—with extraordinary compassion, dignity, and respect.

They were always there when we needed them, providing not only exceptional care but also comfort, guidance, and reassurance during one of the most difficult times in our lives. Their kindness, patience, and genuine concern made an immeasurable difference, allowing our loved one to remain comfortable and giving our family the support we needed every step of the way.

What touched us most was that their care didn’t end when our loved one passed. They continued to reach out and offer support to our family during our time of grief, which speaks volumes about the compassion and dedication of the entire hospice team.

Thank you to everyone at Willow Hospice for the remarkable care you provided. You brought comfort, peace, and dignity to our loved one, and your kindness will never be forgotten. We wholeheartedly recommend Willow Hospice to any family seeking compassionate, professional end-of-life care.

Fady William

The team at The Willows Hospice are truly a blessing during a very difficult time. They treated your loved one with dignity, compassion, and genuine care every step of the way. The nurses, caregivers, and staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer your questions and provide support when you need it most.

Their kindness and professionalism will bring comfort and peace during a challenging season, and I’m deeply grateful and moved for everything they did. I highly recommend The Willows Hospice to any family seeking compassionate end-of-life care. Thank you for serving with such love and dedication. ❤️🙏

Dale Pelsy

4 months ago

I would highly recommend this company for hospice care. My mother was a resident at Parkview Haven in Francesville and when the time came for hospice Willows was there recommended hospice. They did a fantastic job of keeping her comfortable and communicating with our family.

Robert Matijevich

5 months ago

Having no prior experience with any Hospice agencies, our family felt very fortunate to have The Willows Hospice care for our loved one. Not only did they provide excellent care physically, mentally and emotionally, but they showed great compassion, patience, understanding and empathy toward our entire family. Every member of the hospice team was skilled, knowledgeable, and caring, treating our loved one as they would their own loved one. They made an overwhelming process less stressful for all of us by their swift response in organizing every aspect of this life altering experience and continue to offer support after the final stage. They are truly God’s angels on earth.

Shelly Cranor

The Willows Hospice truly takes the time to see, know ,and understand each patient and their family. What stand stands out even more is that they extend the same care and respect to their employees.- It’s simply who they are at their core. Their compassion and commitment make a meaningful difference during some of life‘s most difficult moments.

Lisa Misch

6 months ago

I could write pages of wonderful experiences with each and every staff member we encountered during my sister's brief time with the Willows Hospice Team. Even after her death, staff reached out with support. Instead I leave these words that describe what we received whether by phone or in-person: Helpful holistic Orderly open-hearted Support, provided with Purpose, Immense Care and Edification. Not does this team understand the journey, they compassionately anticipate and assist with the needs of all those journeying. Well done. Thank-you.