John C. Burckhalter

John C. Burckhalter, 80-year-old well known Vinita businessman, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at his home. He was born on May 15, 1944, in Vinita, to Charles O. and Ruth May (Marshall) Burckhalter. John was a 1963 graduate of Vinita High School, then went on to UCO, and NEO A and M College where he received his associates degree, he later went to the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and became a licensed funeral director/embalmer. John married the love of his life, Sallye (Parker) on June 29, 1968, in Vinita at the First United Methodist Church.
He worked for Southwestern Bell Phone Company before going to work in the funeral home with his father and uncle. John left there to work for the Grand River Dam Authority as Safety Director before buying into the George Driskill Insurance Agency in Vinita, it later became the Burckhalter Insurance Agency of Vinita and Grove. John also became a real estate broker and negotiated the sale of property in downtown Vinita for the construction of the new Hardee's that is now McDonald's. He also became a licensed real estate appraiser doing appraisals for area banks.
John served his country as a member of the Army National Guard of Oklahoma and as a reserve of the Army for 6 years. He was Commander of the Vinita American Legion Dale Peace Post #40 in the early 70's and was instrumental in the construction of a new building at the current site. He served on the Vinita Chamber of Commerce as it's president, also president of the Vinita Rotary Club, served on the Vinita City Council and the Industrial Park Board. John enjoyed weekends boating on Grand Lake and most evenings working in his shop rebuilding classic cars and newer cars for he and Sallye to drive.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles and Ruth Burckhalter, a brother, Lt. Col. James Burckhalter, brother in law, Bob Kerby, brother in law, Stan Parker, and a sister in law, Merrye Ann Maddux.
The family includes his wife Sallye of the home, daughter, Summer Falling and husband Robert of Vinita, a son, Matt Burckhalter Masson and husband Steven of Colleyville, Texas, grandchildren, Parker, Carter, and Tucker Falling, Nate and Luke Masson, his sister, Jane Kerby, sister in law, Miriam Burckhalter, nieces, Vanessa Hicks and husband Danny, Tatiana Kane and husband P. J., Meryruth Burckhalter, nephew Kasey Kerby and wife Renee, numerous great-nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral Home in Vinita.
The celebration of life will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel with Pastor Skip McClain officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Vinita. Friends may give to the Vinita Fire Department in John's Memory. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. "Vinita's only locally owned and operated funeral home."