Bernadine D. Burkholder

Traverse City-Bernadine D. "Bea" Burkholder, 90, of Williamsburg, formerly of Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Palmdale, CA, died Thursday morning, June 14, 2012, at Tendercare of Traverse City, with her family by her side. Born July 19, 1921, in Greenville, she was the daughter of the late William J. and Lura M. ( DeLine) Rushton. On May 27, 1939 in Traverse City, she married Francis Delbert Hunt, a marriage that lasted eight years. Then on July 19, 1950, in Kalamazoo, she married Morris James Burkholder, who preceded her in death on August 20, 2002. Bea's interests were vast and varied ranging from Square Dancing, attending the Cedar Polka Festival, repeating her luck at the casino, cooking, canning, and flower gardening. Her biggest joy was providing home cooked meals with food in abundance for her family and dear friends. Entertaining was truly her forte. She will be fondly remembered for her love of family and her spunky personality. Bea is survived by her loving family, children, Frances Kay Larsen, of Muskegon, Barbara Sue (Gary) McKee, of Plainwell, Lynn Jane (Russell) Ince, of Aloha, Oregon, James Henry (Diane) Burkholder, of Coeur D Alene, ID; step-children, Gary (Sharon) Burkholder, of Fife Lake and Barbara Anne (Al) Schmuckal, of Traverse City; sister, Wilma (Billie) Wells- Brown of Palmdale, CA and a sister-in-law, Wanda Ruston of Mancellona; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephew; special friends, Pam and Scott Sinkule and Tom and Amy Jarosch In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by several brothers and sisters, B. Paul (Helen) Rushton, Lee (Margaret) (Ludie) Rushton, Rose (Kenneth) Krouse, Ileta (Gaylord) Fisher, Ilene (Dale) Fisher, Maxine (Albert) Boone, and Max Wayne Rushton. Funeral Services will be held at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Monday, June 18, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. , with visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Geri Litchfield will officiate. Burial will follow at Williamsburg Cemetery in Williamsburg. In remembrance of Bernadine, memorials may be directed to the Whitewater Township EMS or to Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Kindly share your memories with the family on their online questbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Bernadine D. Burkholder

July 19, 1921 - June 14, 2012