The Burke – Garrison Scholarship Fund

About Ryan Burke

Veteran Marine Michael Ryan Burke, 42, died after being shot at his home in Columbia, Missouri on January 18, 2026. What began as a normal Facebook Marketplace sale of an iPhone, turned into a robbery. In his final moments, Burke called 911 to describe the suspects and texted his mother, Erlinda Burke, and his sister, Maria Werly, “I’m dying and I love you.”

Michael was a University of Missouri graduate with degrees in psychology and sociology. He served as a Force Reconnaissance Staff Sergeant with combat experience, worked as a firefighter for the City of Columbia, served as a pastor, and dedicated himself to missionary work in places like Uganda, Haiti, and Iraq, along with efforts against human trafficking.

Michael’s longtime friend and fraternity brother Jerry Reifeiss said, “That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt.”

Let us honor Michael’s life by remembering his name. Rest in peace, Marine.

Donate to the Burke – Garrison Scholarship Fund

The Well Christian Coaching’s Burke – Garrison Scholarship Fund was created to help cover costs for those Clients with no financial ability – often families in crisis, single mothers, Women in incarceration that are re-joining society, women completing addiction and recovery programs or on probation in need of services.

The Scholarship fund must be applied for and approved before services begin, proof of low or no income required. This Scholarship fund is 3rd party managed for accountability and transparency. All donors will receive a receipt of donation, and a quarterly e-newsetter update will be published and sent to our donors so they can actively see their funding and donations at work.

Donations can be made through the online payment options below or by making a check payable to:

The Well Christian Coaching
510 E. Green Meadows Rd.
Suite 201 D
Columbia, MO 65201
Please put a note on the check that it is for the Burke – Garrison Scholarship Fund

Tax ID Number is N001704615