Joseph Paul Burkhart

Joseph Paul Burkhart, 95, passed away April 27 th , surrounded by his loving family. Born in Sayre on
January 9, 1929, Joseph was the youngest son of Catherine Cummings Burkhart and Jacob Burkhart. He
graduated from Sayre High School in 1946.

Joseph married Mary Hogan from Waverly, and they were
blessed with 73 years of marriage. Family was everything to Joe and Mary. They loved to boast about
the 135 descendants from their marriage. They have nine children: Joseph (Dolores Farrell), Kathleen
(Burt) Stevens, James, Karen Lynch Burkhart, Michael (Maureen Crowley), Patrick (Michelle Munn), Lisa
(Glenn) Jarvis, Ellen (Ronald) Weiland, and William (Marco Laterreur). They have thirty-one
grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and another expected in
October. They have numerous nieces and nephews as well.

At the age of 16, Joseph opened Joe’s Bicycle Shop in a small storefront on Desmond Street. As the
business grew, he opened Joe’s Sporting Goods on Lockhart Street, and then Joe’s Marine on Spring
Street in Sayre. In Florida, Joe looked for a new opportunity and started the concrete curbing company
Burkhart Services, Inc. Joe’s businesses were family businesses. Many worked in some capacity over the
years. Joe Jr worked and managed Joe’s Marine for sixty years, becoming owner along the way. Burt,
Kathy, and Patrick ran different phases of Burkhart Services for thirty-six years.

Joseph was a lifelong member of Epiphany Parish, and he and Mary attended Ascension Catholic
Church in Boca Raton when they were in Florida. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He and
Mary were founding members of the Epiphany Pro-Life group, and they actively supported many Right-
to-Life organizations for fifty-five years.

Joseph was active in other community organizations including the Sportsman’s Club, the Elks Lodge,
and the Sayre School Board. He and Mary were recognized for their ongoing support of Catholic
education at Epiphany School. Joseph was also on the initial school board at Pope John Paul II High
School in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joseph is pre-deceased by his wife Mary, his daughter Karen, brothers Francis and James, sisters Kate
Smith Semple and Gladys Henrich, brothers-in-law William Henrich, James Smith, William Semple, and
sister-in-law Jenny Insogna Burkhart.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, May 7 th at 10:30 am at Epiphany Catholic Church in
Sayre. Visitation will be held at the Church between 8:15 and 10:15 am. The internment will take place
immediately after the mass at Saint James Cemetery in Waverly. The family will provide flowers for the
service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Epiphany Catholic School, 627 Stevenson Street,
Sayre, Pa 18840, or Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of The Thomas Cremation and Funeral Service, 1297 Emira St., Sayre, Pa. Those wishing to leave a sympathy message for Joe's family may do so at thomascremationfuneralservice.com

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