The Michigan bluegrass community is mourning the passing of Burke Cole, who with his wife, Tina, put on the Marshall Bluegrass Festival this past 15 years in south Central Michigan.
Burke died on March 3 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. He was 71 years old. A private family burial was conducted March 6 at Riverside Cemetery in Tekonsha.
No cause of death has been indicated, but the family has requested that memorial donations be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association.
The Marshall Festival has long highlighted regional bluegrass talent from the upper Midwest, and to the best of our knowledge, will continue to be held in July each year.