Eldon Burkhart

Funeral services for Eldon R. Burkhart, 83, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS.  Graveside services will be held at noon, Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Riverview Cemetery in Arkansas City, KS.  He died on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the Hillside Village in De Soto, KS.
He was born on April 8, 1928 in Strawn, KS the son of Joe and Pearl (Sharp) Burkhart.

He attended various grade schools in Reece, Quincy, Virgil, Lamont, Humbolt & Belmont all in Kansas.  He attended high school in Yates Center, KS and completed and received a G.E.D. from the USAF in 1953 at Columbus, OH.

He went through air craft and engine school at Shepard Field in Wichita Falls, TX and through Foxboro instrument school in Dallas, TX.  He worked for Job Hunt in Yates Center, KS for four years.  He spent 17 years working for APCO Oil Company in Arkansas City, KS.  He worked for Burkhart Electric in Lawrence for six years.  He owned and operated Raco Electric in Lawrence and neighboring cities for 20 years from 1969 to 1989, always based in Lawrence & Kansas City, KS.

He worked for Kaw Valley Area Tech School in Topeka, KS as an instructor for five semesters.  Then as a substitute instructor for nine years, which he was given a life-time certificate from the State of Kansas.

He became a Christian in 1956.  He attended several different churches in Arkansas City, KS and Lawrence, KS, mostly of the Baptist faith.  He considered himself a born-again Baptist. Eldon believes that Jesus is his sacrifice declared by God, himself to be payment in full for his sins. He will present God faultless for time and eternity.  He will now greet all who belong to the family of God for we all are gathered for time and eternity with Jesus our Savior, Amen.

Eldon married Phyllis Ann Wilson June 24, 1950 in Arkansas City, KS.  She survives of the home.  To this union was born, one son, Steven Ray, Redondo Beach, CA.  Steve has always been the apple of his parent’s eyes, “aside from salvation”, the greatest accomplishment to his parents here in this life.

Other survivors include one brother, Vernon D. Burkhart, Yates Center, KS and two sisters, Bonnie Reno, Chanute, KS and Fran Morrison, Lawrence, KS.  He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Paul, Nathan, Homer and Donald Burkhart; and one sister, Orvetta Burkhart “Rathbun”.

The family requests no flowers.  The family will greet friends following the service on Monday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Baptist Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary.