Merlin Abraham Burkholder, 89, of Waynesboro, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, October 2, 2013.
He was born on September 15, 1924, in Augusta County, a son of the late Perry A. and Mattie K. Burkholder.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude Burkholder; a son, Wendell M. Burkholder; a sister, Sylvia B. Coffman; a great-grandson, Jonah Jones; a great-granddaughter, Laura Mae Burkholder; and a special friend, Craig Vander Vennet.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved farming and he started his own business, Burkholder Meat Processing in 1978 located on the Burkholder Farm. He enjoyed serving his customers and the community. He was a lifelong member of Springdale Mennonite Church and enjoyed his fellowship with family and friends and serving the Lord.
He is survived by five sons and two daughters. Eddie and his wife, Patsy of Waynesboro; Robert and his wife, Sandy of Waynesboro; Perry and his wife, Debbie of Stuarts Draft; Philip and his wife, Sandy of Stuarts Draft; Cindy Houff and her husband, Brent of Waynesboro; Sara Showalter and her husband, Danny of Waynesboro; and Jay Burkholder of Waynesboro.
He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Robin Burkholder of Waynesboro; 22 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Lyle Burkholder and his wife, Martha Belle and their family.
The family wishes to extend its appreciation to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah during his illness.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Springdale Mennonite Church.
A celebration of life service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2013, at Springdale Mennonite Church with Pastor Kevin Goertzen, the Reverend Richard Showalter and Pastor Dave Chappell officiating.
A private graveside service will be held earlier in the day with his grandson, Stacey Burkholder officiating.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons, Ray Burkholder, Shawn Burkholder, Brandon Burkholder, Pete Baska, Dallas Burkholder, Justin Houff and Keith Showalter. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Springdale Mennonite Church, 170 Hall School Road, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980.
Those wishing, may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com
Arrangments entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18