Charles L. Burkhart of Crawfordsville passed away in his easy chair Thursday afternoon. He was 86.
Charlie was a funeral director for 65 years, working up to manager of J. C. Wilson’s in Indianapolis. In 1968 he moved to Crawfordsville to purchase the funeral home that became Burkhart Funeral Home, which he continued to operate with his sons. He served eight years as Montgomery County Coroner. He spent over 20 years on the medical staff at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as an ambulance driver. He was a member of the Woodland Heights Christian Church as well as several civic and fraternal organizations. He served his country in the U.S. Army medical corps as an ambulance driver in Korea.
Born Jan. 13, 1935, in Beech Grove, he was the son of Carl N. Burkhart and Edna L. Byers Burkhart. He attended Indianapolis Manual High School and the Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He married Sandra Eavey on Aug. 4, 1963. She passed away Feb. 15, 1996. He married Ruby Harmon Wood on Sept. 11, 1999. She survives.
Surviving family includes: wife Ruby Burkhart of Crawfordsville; two sons, Carl (Sara) Burkhart of Crawfordsville, Craig (Kat) Burkhart of Darlington; three step-daughters, Debi (Brad) Cruea and Dianne (Paul) Gordon, both of Crawfordsville, and Jocele Harrison of Lebanon; sister Maryellen Sturgeon of Indianapolis; along with 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Sandy; and an infant brother Carl Edward.
Private services will be held Monday evening, Feb. 15 at Burkhart Funeral Home, with Pastor Steve Wilke officiating. Entombment will be at the Oak Hill Mausoleum on Tuesday morning. A public celebration of his life will be held later this summer. Details will be announced as they become available.
Charlie hated flowers and seat belts, so rather than sending flowers, please honor him with a donation to the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, 1104 Big Four Arch Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Online condolences may be made www.BurkhartFH.com.
