Vera E. Burkholder, 97, of Bluffton died at 8:55 a.m. Aug. 31, 2012, at Richland Manor, Bluffton. She was born June 28, 1915, in Orange Township to Samuel and Matilda Kiene Burkholder.
She was a first grade teacher at Allen East School from 1963 to 1982. She had also worked at Triplett Corp., Bluffton for 20 years.
She was a member of the First Missionary Church, Bluffton since 1934 where she had served as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent for many years. She was also an active member of the Women's Missionary Ministry. She was a graduate of Bluffton High School, attended Ft. Wayne Bible College and graduated from Bluffton College.
Surviving are nieces and nephews, Connie Lindesmith, Peggy Stocks, Dorothy Burkholder, Linda Bueshing, Brenda Smith, Joe, George and John McCune, Larry, Steven and Jack Burkholder, many great, great great and great great great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Geneva McCune, Frances Balmer, Bonnie Hardwick, two brothers, Lyal and Marion Burkholder, nieces, Madalene Deppler, Jill Oltman and a nephew Richard Balmer.
Funeral services will begin at 2:30 pm Tuesday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. Rev. Gary Marks will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton.
There will be visitation one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to First Missionary Church or the Activity Fund at Richland Manor. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com