Burkhard, Henry (1887-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Oct 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1887 May 22

text of obituary:

HENRY BURKHARD

Henry Burkhard, son of the late Hannah Snyder and Daniel Burkhard, was born at Roseland, neb. May 22, 1887, and passed away at his home in Orrtanna, Penn. On Oct. 4, 1955, of a coronary occlusion.

He was united in marriage to Lydia LeFever of Paradise, Penn. June 9, 1917, who survives him with their four daughters: Evelyn, (Mrs. Mary Perry) Urbana, Ohio; Ruth, (Mrs. Leo Harder) Mt. Lake, Minn.; Mary Agnes at home; and Christine (Mrs. Roland Lehman) Verona, Wisconsin. Two brothers, Samuel of Tempe, Ariz, and Noah of Shipshewana, Ind., three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren are also among the survivors.

Father joined the Mennonite church at an early age and his entire life has been characterized by a close walk with God. It was his sincere and earnest desire at all times to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and to understand the mind and the will of God for his life. He was active in church and Sunday school work and served in various capacities both locally and in the district throughout the years.

Graduating from Goshen Academy in 1912 and from Goshen College in 1916, he took up farming on the family homestead at Roseland, Neb. Because of a succession of dray years and crop failures he moved with his family to Adams County, Penn. In the fall of 1934. He was employed by the Orrtanna Canning Company where he worked as a mechanic until his retirement in 1950. He had a sense of vision about his work, which he did conscientiously and well, adding little improvements here and there. No one ever heard him use profanity or obscene language. He enjoyed working with other people and was always a ready counselor when someone confided spiritual problems in him. The sincerity of his Christian witness was appreciated by all who knew him.

In his last illness, which lasted about ten days, he was cheerful and relaxed and talked much of eternal things. His passing was quiet and he suffered litte [sic]. To us who knew him his death was not the end of things, but rather the continuation of a glorious experience.

Funeral services were conducted from the Fairfield Mennonite Church with the pastor, Lamont A. Woelk, officiating. Interment was made in the Mennonite cemetery at Mummasburg, Penn.

The Mennonite obituary: 1955 Nov 22 p. 734