You have to stuff a lot of Easter eggs to become Wentzville's Citizen of the Year — at least 12,000, in Bob Burke's case.

"I've only stuffed 4,000, so we got to get going," Burke said Friday after finishing another four-hour egg-stuffing shift at Progress Park in Wentzville.

Beginning in January, Burke visits the park three or four times weekly to spend all morning stuffing candy into plastic eggs for the city's annual Easter egg hunt, scheduled this year for March 31 in Rotary Park.

The city each year uses 22,000-24,000 eggs, made by different manufacturers and stored with the halves separated. The 85-year-old Burke and other volunteers have to sort through the eggs to find two halves that match.

"It is harder than you think," Burke said. "But I can tell just from the look and feel which ones will fit together."

Burke said he has stuffed about 12,000 eggs a year since becoming a parks department volunteer in 2003. City officials took notice of his champion egg-stuffing skills, naming him Volunteer of the Year in 2004.

Now Burke is the city's Citizen of the Year. On Feb. 8, Mayor Paul Lambi presented Burke with the award, recognizing him for his civic activities in 2011.

Lambi said Burke has volunteered more than 500 hours for the city.

"I see Bob at almost every event we have," Lambi said. "He's never had a disparaging word about anyone. He loves working with kids and gives selflessly to the community."

Dottie Phillips, recreation superintendent for Wentzville parks, said Burke takes it upon himself to make sure the eggs are completed on time every year. He is one of 40 people in the Parks and Recreation Department's volunteer bank. The volunteers receive $5 gift certificates redeemable at city parks. But Burke usually donates his "park bucks" back to the city, Phillips said.

Egg stuffing is just one of many things Burke does for the city. He serves on the Parks and Recreation Board and assists with annual events like the Fourth of July parade, Daddy's Little Sweetheart Dance and Halloween Happenings party.

"I used to do a lot more, but my legs are not as good as they used to be," Burke said.

When he had more energy, Burke would help the American Legion with building repairs and volunteer at fish fry events.

As he has for 14 years, Burke continues to volunteer every Wednesday morning at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis, putting medical records in order, addressing envelopes, making coffee and coordinating with housekeeping to tidy up the waiting area.

A World War II Navy veteran, Burke retired in 1989 after working 37 years in the earth-moving equipment sales business. He was married 55 years to Dorothy J. Burke, who he called "DJ." They had three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Burke credited his wife, who died in 2002, with introducing him to volunteering. He said his activities keep him busy in his retirement.

"When I come home, I'm pretty well tired out," he said. "I do my housework, then sit in my chair and have a nap."