The Rev. Chad Burkhart, 87, Claypool, passed away at 7:15 a.m. Nov. 27, 2014, in his residence. He was born Dec. 7, 1926, in Harland, Ky., to Joe and Mallie Sandland Burkhart. On March 24, 1951, in Warsaw, he married Martha Avo Gable, who survives in Claypool. 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. 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; 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 “Man of the Year” award through the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. His social and professional memberships include 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 Jr. Day Committee; the Freewill Baptist Conference, attending 75 times in a row; the Warsaw Ministerial Association and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, he and his wife operated a food bank serving the community in their Claypool home. In addition to a full-time ministry, he worked at Warsaw Plating Works, Litchfield Creamery/Milnot for 30 years, ISS Cleaning Services as a supervisor, AMPI Cheese Company for five years, Warsaw Fabricating formerly employed him for three years and Poultry Services for two years. Also surviving is a daughter, Brenda Kay (and spouse Robert) Haywood, Claypool; two sons, Larry Joe (and spouse Gale) Burkhart, Warsaw, and Wayne (and spouse Tina) Burkhart, Columbia City; a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Burkhart, Winona Lake; two brothers, Donald Burkhart and Saul (and spouse Katie) Burkhart, all of Warsaw; a sister, Polley Countryman, Wilmington, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Burkhart and Mallie Sandland Burkhart Spears; two sons, David Paul and Taylor Doughlas Burkhart; six brothers, Roy, Andrew, Gillis, Orville, Harley and Lee Burkhart; and one sister, Myrtle Burkhart. A celebration of life service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Freewill Baptist Church, Claypool, with Pastors Terry Bradford, David Cripe and John Miller officiating. Private burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool, with military honors rendered by Warsaw American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126. Calling is from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at First Freewill Baptist Church, Claypool. ***** Memorials may be made to Kosciusko County Community Foundation, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw. Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
