Ivan Z. Burkholder

Ivan Z. Burkholder, 89, of Ephrata, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy.
He was born in Ephrata to the late Noah and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Burkholder and was the husband of the late Irene M. (Zimmerman) Burkholder.
He was an active member of Hammer Creek Mennonite Church, Lititz, and especially in later years enjoyed reading his Bible. During his working years, Ivan worked as a truck driver and later drove cars from auto auctions in the northeast. He enjoyed reminiscing about the many places he driven in his career. What he enjoyed the most was playing bluegrass music on the fiddle, and he loved the time he got to make music with his family. To the end, he was a beloved brother, father, grandfather and friend, always with a twinkle in his eye and a joke to tell.
Ivan is survived by four children, Larry, husband of Rosanne (Rutt) Burkholder of Ephrata, Diane, wife of Elvin Hursh of Ephrata, Brenda Burkholder of Ephrata, Neal R. Burkholder of Akron; 11 grandchildren, Sara Burkholder, Darren Burkholder, Ryan Burkholder, Abigail Burkholder, JoAnna Hess, Jason Hursh, Justin Hursh, Matthew Burkholder, Michael Burkholder, Rebecca Jekel, Andrew Burkholder; 15 great-grandchildren; five siblings, Harvey, husband of Jeanette Burkholder, Ella, wife of Isaac Weaver, Etta Martin, Norman Burkholder and Elvin Burkholder.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by ten siblings, Aaron Burkholder, Alta Zimmerman, Anna Horst, Elizabeth Martin, Mary Martin, Ada Snyder, Noah Burkholder, Edna Weaver, Lena Zimmerman and David Burkholder.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM at Hammer Creek Mennonite Church, 590 Hammer Creek Road, Lititz. An additional viewing will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 to 11 AM, at the church, followed by his funeral service at 11 AM, with Pastor Leonard Rutt officiating. Interment will take place in the adjoining church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ivan's memory may be made to Friendship Community, 1149 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.