Chad Burkhart

Reverend Chad Burkhart, age 87, of Claypool, Indiana passed away Thursday, November 27, 2014 at 7:15 AM in his residence. He was born December 7, 1926 in Harland, KY to Joe Burkhart and Mallie (Sandland) Burkhart Spears. He honorably served his Country in the United States Army in the 4605th Quartermaster Truck Co. (Heavy) as a Private First Class in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1945. On March 24, 1951 in Warsaw, IN he was united in marriage to Martha Avo Goble. A local Pastor, with 58 years of service, he began in the Ministry in 1954 at The Gravel Road Church, Claypool, he later founded the Packerton Freewill Baptist Church, Packerton, the First Freewill Baptist Church, Claypool and the Victory Christian Church, Warsaw retiring in 2012. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Ministry from the Cornerstone Christian Church and Academy, Fort Wayne. In 1990 he received the “Man of the Year Award through the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. His social and professional memberships include the Packerton Community Association and United Way of Kosciusko County through which he was instrumental in building the Packerton Community Association Building, the Kosciusko Child Protection Team, Martin Luther King Day Committee, the Freewill Baptist Conference, attending 75 times in a row, the Warsaw Ministerial Association and Habitat For Humanity. In addition, he and wife Avo operated a Food Bank serving the community in their Claypool home. In addition to full time ministry, Warsaw Plating Works, Litchfield Creamery/Milnot for 30 years, ISS Cleaning Services as a Supervisor, AMPI Cheese Company for 5 years and Warsaw Fabricating, formerly employed him for 3 years and Poultry Services for 2 years. Survivors include his wife Avo Burkhart of Claypool, IN; children Larry Joe (spouse Gale) Burkhart of Warsaw, IN, Brenda Kay (spouse Robert) Haywood of Claypool, IN, Wayne (spouse Tina) Burkhart of Columbia City, IN; daughter-in-law Dorothy Burkhart of Winona Lake, IN; brothers Donald Burkhart and Saul (spouse Katie) Burkhart both of Warsaw, IN; sister Polley Countryman of Wilmington, OH; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His parents; sons David Paul and Taylor Douglas Burkhart; brothers Roy, Andrew, Gillis, Orville, Harley and Lee Burkhart and a sister Myrtle Burkhart preceded him. Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM Sunday, November 30, 2014 at First Freewill Baptist Church, Claypool. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 6:00 PM, Sunday, with Pastors Terry Bradford, David Cripe and John Miller officiating. Interment will be private in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool with Military Honors rendered by the Warsaw American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126. Memorial contributions may be made to:Kosciusko County Community Foundation102 E. Market St.Warsaw, IN 46580