Edward D. Burkhalter

Edward D. Burkhalter, 79, of Burlington, Indiana, was called home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 11, 2019 at 5:07 p.m.  He was born on June 10, 1940 to Virginia (Roth) and Evan Alfred Burkhalter in Lafayette, Indiana.  On December 19, 1964 he married the love of his life and best friend, Audrey Lindley, at Calvary Baptist Church in Kokomo.

Edward graduated from Mulberry High School, Manchester College,  and Indiana University at Bloomington. As a child he grew up in the Mulberry Trinity United Church of Christ, served on the church board and taught classes at Congregational United Church of Christ for twenty years.   He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo, IN.  He also served on various boards at Grace Church where he enjoyed singing in the church choir and teaching adult classes.  Edward was a member of Kokomo Rotary, Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity, Indiana Association of School Principals, and Indiana Professional Standards Board where he served on the School Leaders Committee.

Those who knew Ed soon learned his hobby was classic cars, collecting car material, and traveling. He enjoyed planning and taking historic trips with his family. He brightened the room with his songs on the piano and especially loved playing hymns. Children were welcomed with open arms to take a wagon ride, play a game of checkers, listen to a poem, or hear one of his famous stories from his youth.  He could relate to people of all ages so easily with compassion. His positive yet humble, gentle nature put people at ease whenever they were with him and his quick wit brought many smiles. He loved Jesus dearly.

Edward began his teaching career at Bon Air Middle School in 1962 in Kokomo.  He was an administrator at the Northwestern School Corporation where he served as chairman of the English department, high school assistant principal, high school principal and middle school principal.

He served as chairman of several visitation teams for North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.  He also worked with student teachers and aspiring administrators in conjunction with Indiana Wesley University, University of Indianapolis and Manchester College.  Ed loved working with students, and teaching adults who were interested in education.  As an educator, he was patient, and sought to find the positive in each person and situation. In 1992 he was honored to be selected as the Outstanding Principal of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Association.  He cherished sharing the love of learning with others while helping them reach their potential.

After Ed retired, he felt called to serve bereaved families and assisted Jeff Stout and Bill Shirley at the funeral home.  

He is survived by his wife Audrey; daughters, Sheri Burkhalter of Indianapolis and Andrea (husband Bruce) Gillen of Zionsville; and grandchildren; DanYelle, LauraLee, Hannah, Kayla, Emma Grace, Nathaniel, Benjamin, and John (wife Brittany) of Colorado Springs, and their two children, Caleb and Elijah Gillen (his great-grandchildren).  He is also survived by his brothers, Dennis (wife Michelle) of Morristown, and Ronald (wife Janet); a nephew, Brad Burkhalter (wife, Melissa), and their two sons, AJ and Bryan, a niece Renee Burkhalter Miller (husband Bart), and their two children Nolan and Kylie (of Kokomo).

 A son, Mark Edward, preceded him in death in 1990 as did his parents Evan A. and Virginia Roth Burkhalter, and his wife’s parents James R. and Marjorie Lindley.

The family would like to extend a warm thank you to Guardian Angels and Home Instead for enabling Ed to fulfill his wish of coming home after his hospitalization. They also sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love shown to Ed and his family through prayers, meals, cards, phone calls, and visits that greatly encouraged him during his challenges with Parkinson’s.  A special thanks to Burlington Church of Christ for reaching out to our family in this time of need.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Grace United Methodist Church, 219 W. Mulberry Street, Kokomo, with Pastors Brian Cook, Larry Newberg, and David Osborne officiating.  Burial will follow at 2:30 pm in Fair Haven Cemetery, 8518 W. Co. Rd. 550 N. Mulberry, IN.  Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-8 pm Monday at the church and one hour prior to service on Tuesday.  Memorials may be given to the Edward Burkhalter Scholarship Fund at Grace United Methodist Church, Kokomo, the Kokomo-YMCA Rock Steady Boxing, or a charity of choice. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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