Franklin D. Burkhart, age 79, of Oregon, passed away Monday, May 6, 2013, surrounded by his loving family at St. Vincent-Mercy Hospital. He was born on September 27, 1933, in Holgate to Joseph and Bertha (Koenig) Burkhart. On October 4, 1958, he married the love of his life, the former Joyce Niese. Together Frank and Joyce celebrated 54 years of marriage. Frank was employed as a Dispatcher for Columbia Gas of Ohio, before retiring in 1989, after 38 years of service. In retirement, Frank worked as a Groundskeeper at Heart of the Hills golf course in Brooklyn, Mi. He enjoyed taking care of the grounds, making sure to mow in a nice straight line. He also loved the scenery at the golf course, where he would comment how beautiful it was there. In his spare time he loved spending time in the summer at their house in Deep Lake, Michigan, and their home in Lakeland, FL., during the winter months, where they spent the last 22 years. He also enjoyed assisting his son Gregory, as he coached baseball in Waterville. He was an avid Detroit Tigers Fan.
Frank is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; children, Deborah (Bryan) Gladieux, Gregory (Michelle) Burkhart, and Kimberly (David) Skoczyn; grandchildren, Bethany Gladieux, Kristin (Aaron) Mills, David Skoczyn II (fiancé Brie Houser), Bryanna (Chris) Knott, Katelyn Skoczyn, Mariah, and Jerod Burkhart; and brother, Vernon Burkhart.
Friends will be received on Thursday, May 9, 2013, from 2-9pm in the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home 701 N. Main St. Walbridge (419-666-3121) where the Rosary will be recited at 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Friday, May 10, 2013, in St. Jerome Catholic Church at 11:00 A.M., with Fr. Eric Schild, officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Mobile Meals, Wood Co. Committee on Aging, or St. Jerome Catholic Church. The family would like to offer a special thanks to the staff at St. Vincent’s Cardiac ICU. Thoughts and prayers to the family of Franklin may be made at www. witlzershank.com.
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