Gladys Fern Burkhart

Gladys Fern Burkhart passed into the hands of our Lord on Tuesday. October 7, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida, surrounded by family. Gladys was born on October 26, 1942, the 6th child of Henry C. Burkhart and Catherine E. Schauff. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Crestline High School, graduating with the Class of 1960. During her high school years, Gladys could be found assisting her Uncle Leo at the Crest Theatre. She was the first girl to play the drums in the CHS Marching Band. Gladys graduated from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA in 1964. She went on to receive her law degree from The Ohio State University in 1966, a rare event for a woman in those days. Gladys started her practice with the Legal Aid Society of Ohio in Columbus. Gladys had a private law practice for 52 years in Ohio, Georgia and Florida, always serving the common citizen, often for little or no fee. Gladys was a devote Roman Catholic, serving St. Joseph's Church in various capacities. She was the chairwoman of the Crestline Harvest Festival for many years. She served several terms on the Crestline School Board. Gladys believed in always helping others because it was the right thing to do, regardless of personal loss. Her kindness and generosity will be felt for many generations to come. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Elizabeth Anna Burkhart and Catherine E. Forman alongside her four brothers: Charles H. Burkhart, Joseph L. Burkhart, Thomas E. Burkhart and Henry C. Burkhart Jr. Her surviving relatives are brothers William (Barbara) Burkhart of Galion, James (Rose) Burkhart of Wooster, Ernest (Linda) Burkhart of Jacksonville, FL: sisters Mary Lou Marek of Crestline, Evelyn Buchanan of Ashland, Theresa (Thomas) Fisher of Lakeland, and Irene (Dennis) Borgelt of Mansfield. Gladys also had 25 nieces and nephews. Friends may visit on Thursday, October 16 from 6:00p.m.- 8:00p.m. and Friday, October 17, 2025, between 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Gompf Funeral Home- Crestline Chapel, 223 W. Main St., Crestline, Ohio. Services will be held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 331 North Thoman St., Crestline, Ohio on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. by the Rev. Jeff Smith. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery, 1295 Fairview Ave., Galion, Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Those wishing to share a memory of Gladys or send condolences to the Burkhart family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com. The Gompf Funeral Service - Crestline Chapel, 223 W. Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of Gladys Fern Burkhart. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gladys Fern Burkhart, please visit our floral store.