Floyd Burkhart

Floyd E. Burkhart

BUCYRUS: Floyd Eugene Burkhart, 87, of 4295 Monnett-New Winchester Road, Bucyrus, went to be with the Lord Thursday, December 27, 2012 at Mill Creek Nursing and Rehab, Galion, OH following a lengthy illness.

Floyd was born in New Winchester, OH on March 24, 1925 to the late Lester J. and Laura L. (Nelson) Burkhart. He married Doris Betty Gibson on March, 24, 1947 and she survives him.

He is survived by two sons Ron (Marcia) Burkhart and Chuck (Tami) Burkhart of rural Bucyrus; five grandchildren; Douglas Burkhart, Cleveland, Dan (RaDenna) Burkhart, Christopher (Kimberly) Burkhart, Karen (Craig) Hudson and Sarah (Michael) McGrady, eleven great grandchildren; Ethan, Alexus, Alana, Dylan, Derek and Drayton Burkhart, Kendra, Kyle and Cole Hudson, Carter and Ella McGrady all of Bucyrus.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Benson McGrady.

The farm on Monnett-New Winchester Road where Floyd lived most of his childhood years was the heart and soul of his life. He was baptized and confirmed at Whetstone Reformed Church and he graduated from Whetstone High School. Floyd was an active member of Christian Endeavor and treasured those memories of connecting with other young Christians throughout Crawford County. After his children were born, he and Doris became members of First United Church of Christ, Galion, where he served as Elder, Trustee and sang in the choir. His church family was an important part of his life…a second home.

Along with his sons, Floyd was the owner of Burkhart Farms and Burkhart Farm Center, Inc. His family and farming were Floyd's passions. He was innovative in many of the things implemented on the farm. He won several Soil and Water Conservation Awards for waterway and water holding tanks for cattle on the pasture and was one of the first in the area to use slatted floors over pits and stall housing for cattle. He cared deeply for the youth of Crawford County as a 4-H advisor and later promoted 4-H through support of the Jr. Fair Livestock Sale. He received the Ohio State Friend of 4H award and the Crawford County Cattleman's Producer of the year and received various business awards. He served as President of the Whetstone School Board prior to consolidation into Colonel Crawford. Over the years, he served on many boards and committees throughout the county and surrounding area.

In his younger years, Floyd was very active in high school basketball and also played on an All County Team and refereed for a while after marriage. He loved watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports of all kinds, but basketball was his passion.

Friends may call Sunday from 2-7 PM at the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, Galion. Funeral services will be held Monday December 31, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the First United Church of Christ, Galion with Rev. Samuel Buehrer and Rev. Brad Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Whetstone Cemetery, Bucyrus.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church of Christ, Galion, Smile Train or the 4H Endowment Fund in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at masfh.com