Donald George (Don) Burkhardt, 92, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ at 8 pm on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
He was born in Indianapolis to his parents, Robert G. and Garnet M. (Reason) Burkhardt on October 12, 1929, just a few weeks before the great stock market crash. He was raised in homes on the Southside of Indianapolis, Valley Mills and Camby. He attended Decatur Township schools, graduating from Decatur Central in 1947. He was a multi-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. In 2007, he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After service in the Indiana National Guard and attending Indiana Central College, Don was employed with Delta Airlines at Weir Cook Airport. There, he met Mary M. Goodknight and they were married May 31, 1953. Daughters Dawn and Shelly were born in 1961 and 1966 respectively.
To meet the needs of his growing family, Don went to work for Allstate Insurance, providing “Good Hands” service as an agent to hundreds of clients for 35 years until his retirement in 1992.
After 27 years of marriage, Mary passed away in April 1981. On January 21, 1982, Don married Joy Ann (Nelson) Moore Burkhardt and she survives. The two had sung in the high school choir together and reunited in the choir of Camby Community Church. As a widow and widower, they blended their families seamlessly, leading with love, laughter and faith. They celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2022.
Don leaves a lifetime legacy of service to Camby Community Church, which he began attending as a child. He was an elder, deacon, church council chairman multiple times, Sunday School teacher, building committee member and sang in the choir. In addition, Don was a Lions Club member for more than 50 years at Ben Davis and Plainfield. He was also a member of West Newton Masonic Lodge.
Don loved to golf and was a member for several years at Plainfield Elks. He and Joy enjoyed travels to many parts of the USA as well as Europe. For a few years, they wintered in Florida. Don and Joy loved their beautiful home on the water at Crystal Bay in Plainfield for nearly 30 years. Recently, they have resided at Cumberland Trace in Plainfield. Don was well known for his love of desserts at church pitch-in suppers, as well as his affinity for Bismarck pastries and dishes that could never include enough gravy. The couple enjoyed Euchre, Uno and a variety of board games with children and grandchildren.
Donald is survived by his wife, Joy Ann (Nelson) Moore Burkhardt of Plainfield; five children: Dawn B. (Steven) Massey, Shelly M. (Kane) Neese, Dianne Moore (Jef) Farmer, Denise Moore (Frank) Holmes Clark, and Rick (Michele) Moore; eight grandchildren: Landon (Delaney) Massey, Carson (Megan) Massey, Bethany (fiancé Dixon Correa) Neese, Emily Neese, Heidi (Ryan) Brumback, Bob (Jewele) Farmer, Brandon (Ashley) Holmes, and Daniel (Maggie) Moore; and nine great grandchildren: Chase, Cooper and Camby Brumback, Alex and Adelyn Holmes, Monroe Farmer, Broden Massey, Stella Massey and Emma Moore.
Don is preceded in death by both of his parents; his first wife, Mary M. (Goodknight) Burkhardt, a brother, Robert G. Burkhardt; and a sister, Judith Ann Williams.
Family and friends may show their love and support from 11 am to 1 pm on Friday, June 10 at Camby Community Church, 8604 Camby Road, Camby IN 46113. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 pm following visitation at the church. Don will be laid to rest with Mary at Washington Park North in Indianapolis.
Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to Camby Community Church, 8604 Camby Road, Camby IN 46113
To send a condolence to the family or to share a story about Donald, please visit: www.jonesfamilymortuary.com