Donald "Don" H. Burkholder, 87, died Nov. 13, 2019, at 10:46 p.m. at Willow Ridge - Frieda House, surrounded by his family.
Don was born Oct. 28, 1932, in Bluffton, to Hiram and Martha (Augsburger) Burkholder who both preceded him in death. On Oct. 8, 1954, he married Dorothy (Hardwick) Burkholder who survives in Bluffton.
Don graduated from Bluffton High School in 1950. He was a sergeant in the United States army and served as a medic in the Korean War.
Don worked for Triplett, Steinman Lumber, Ex-Cello, and retired from Reichenbach Lumber in 1985. He was a member of Ebenezer Mennonite Church. Don was a Sunday school teacher, deacon and the chairman of one of the building committees.
Don is survived by his wife, Dorothy Burkholder of Bluffton, children, Debra (Lynn) Lehman of Pandora, Dennis (Karla) Burkholder and Denise (Robert) Thompson of Bluffton.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Chad (Anna) Burkholder, Craig (Danielle) Burkholder, Curt (Victoria) Burkholder, Karna (Andrew) Marquart, Krista Lehman, Jessica (Tyler) Latham all of Bluffton, and Kaitlin (fiancé Taylor White) Thompson of Nappanee, Ind.
Great-grandchildren, Cole and Aubrey Burkholder, Kinze and Mason Burkholder, Averie and Taylor Marquart, Jack and Kace Latham all of Bluffton.
Sisters, Joan Dailey and Jean Reichenbach of Bluffton.
He is preceded in death by his brother, David Burkholder, sister-in-law, Mildred Burkholder, brothers-in-law, James Dailey and Paul Reichenbach.
Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Chiles - Laman Funeral Homes, Bluffton Chapel.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 11a.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church. Pastor Richard Potter will officiate the service.
A private burial will be in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery with military rites provided by the United States Army.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bridge Hospice, Ebenezer Mennonite Missions Fund and Samaritan's Purse.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
