Don Burkholder
Well known Marion native Don Burkholder, 68, died from cancer Aug. 1, 2003, at Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson.
Born March 17, 1935, at Hutchinson, he was the son of the late Marvin "Mac" and Ruby (Pierce) Burkholder.
He grew up in Marion and at one time was in the gasoline marketing business near Topeka.
At the time of his death he was contract sales manager for General Distributors, Wichita.
He served the Marion community for several years as a board member of the Cottonwood Valley Drainage District.
On June 12, 1955, he was married to Elsie Smith at Evangelical United Brethren Church, Marion.
While living in Topeka, he worked for a bread company and tile company before moving to Colorado to help manage a dude ranch. While in Colorado he assisted in building the Alpine Chapel on the side of a mountain.
The family returned to Marion in 1979 and he went to work for Florida Tile.
He was a member of Eastmoor United Methodist Church, a well known area square dance caller, enjoyed fishing, bowling, flowers, lawn work, and his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Bill, in 1995.
Survivors include his wife, Elsie, of the home; son, Jerry and his wife Patty of Topeka; daughters, Jackie and her husband Clint Torgerson of Port Huron, Mich., and Penny Fugitt of Marion; brother, Larry Burkholder of Newton; sister, Nancy Serpico of Edisto Island, N.C.; and eight grandchildren.
Services were held Tuesday morning at Eastmoor United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Goering officiating. Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
Vocalist was Greg Carlson. Wanda Williams was organist.
Bill Burkholder delivered the eulogy.
Casket bearers were Steven Boone, Kevin Burkholder, Jeff Burkholder, Clint Torgerson, Danny McGarrigle, and Jason Togerson.
A memorial fund has been established in his name at the church.
