Obituary of Don Burkhardt

Don transitioned from his earthly life to eternal life at Grand River Hospital on Monday, Nov. 18 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 82. He had enjoyed country living near New Dundee for more than fifty years before moving to Kitchener in June. Don worked in retail grocery businesses, including managing Zehrs' markets in Kitchener, Waterloo, New Hamburg and Cambridge. He was an active member at Mannheim Mennonite Church. Don enjoyed music, leading hymns in church and singing in various choirs and he was a long-time volunteer with Mennonite Central Committee Ontario. In his younger years, his speed and agility playing hockey and softball were legendary; later he enjoyed golf, bowling and crokinole. Don was the youngest child born to Menno and Hattie (Lichty) Burkhart in Waterloo. One brother, Eugene, Langley, B.C., sister-in- law, Peggy (Mahlon), Waterloo, and numerous nieces and nephews survive. Besides his parents, sister Nora and husband E. Clare Shantz, brothers Vernon, Oron, Mahlon and Melvin and sisters-in-law Erlene Burkhart and Eileen Burkhart preceded him in death. Survivors include Don's wife, Ferne (Cressman); daughters Lorrie (Ken) Koch, New Hamburg and Nancy (Kyle) Yoder, Goshen, IN; son Dwight (Lisa Jones), Guelph; grandchildren Kris and Kathryn Koch, Madeleine and Adrian Burkhardt-Jones, Jeff, Trent and Nick Yoder; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Vernon and Doris Cressman, Lois (Stan, deceased) Lowe of Kitchener and Rhoda (Arnold, deceased) Cressman, Mount Pleasant, PA. Both visitation on Friday, November 22nd, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the funeral service to celebrate Don's faith and life on Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 a.m., will be held at Mannheim Mennonite Church, 1494 Bleams Road, Petersburg. Cremation has taken place. The family extends sincere appreciation for the support of many friends and for the compassionate care of 8C medical staff at Grand River Hospital, CCAC, Day Program staff at Sunnyside and Nithview homes and personal support workers Linda, Donna and Gloria. Donations in memory of Don to Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, House of Friendship or a charity of your choice can be arranged through the Erb and Good Family Funeral Home at 519-745-8445 and www.erbgood.com.