Brian James Burkart

Brian James Burkart, 69, of South Bend, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born in South Bend on December 29, 1955, he was the son of the late John Leo and Lucille Gertrude (Brunette) Burkart.
Those who knew Brian knew that he had an insatiable appetite for life, friendship, and making sure that every moment was enjoyed to its fullest. Brian was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers and the New York Yankees. Brian's house was the life of the holiday season, with people from all over coming to see his Halloween and Christmas decorations, as well as his Santa collection and oversized Christmas trees that barely fit into his home.
Brian worked as a teacher in many districts and communities all over Northern Indiana, and anyone who knew him also knew that it was impossible to separate him as a person from the passion that he had for working with young people in the classroom and athletic fields. Brian's teaching and coaching career spanned over 40 years, with him getting his start coaching middle school football under Kenny Meijer in Goshen Indiana. Brian, a lifelong Roman Catholic and devoted fan of Pope St. John Paul II, then found his way to an assistant coach position at Mishawaka Marian High School. He began his head coaching career there at Marian shortly afterwards (1990-93), and Brian's head coaching journey from there would span 16 years. From Marian, Brian went on to be named the head coach at Michigan City Elston High School (1994), and then later to the consolidated Michigan City High School (1995-1997). From there he went on to Knox Community High School for 4 years (1998-2001), where he also taught students with special needs and made those young people an integral part of his football program.
In truth, Brian was the best version of himself when he was working with students in special education classrooms, and anyone who witnessed him in that setting knows what a truly remarkable educator he was. In 2002 he would return home to South Bend, taking over as the head coach at South Bend Adams (2002-2005). He would spend the next 20-plus years teaching in the South Bend Community School Corporation. Even after his head coaching days were done, he worked as an assistant coach for several more seasons. He took a position with his good friend Ron Metcalfe at South Bend Riley, assisted his nephew during his own stint as Head Coach at Riley, and then later coached for Frank Karczewski at Adams. While his journey took him all over Northern Indiana, South Bend was always "home" to Brian, and he was a dedicated math teacher in his last years in South Bend. Brian was even named Adams' Teacher of the Year for the 2021-22 school year, and he was a passionate educator of the youth of South Bend all the way until his health forced him to step away from the classroom. Up to the very end, Brian was a competitor. He wanted to be the best wherever he was, even if it was working to teach math to high school students.
Brian is survived by his 3 older siblings, Jon and Becky Burkart (Heidrich) of Mishawaka, Judith Kinzie of South Bend, and Cynthia Reed of South Bend. Brian's memory will always live on with his nephews (two of whom preceded him in death; Brian Kinzie and Nathan Reed), as well as their many children who knew him as "Great Uncle" Brian. He had no children of his own, but his memory will also live on in the thousands of young people he loved as if they were his own.
Brian's family will hold a private burial service for immediate family members, and a celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.
Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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