PIERCETON – Wilma Jean Barger Burkett, 61, of Pierceton, passed away at 5:01 p.m. June 2, 2011, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born May 26, 1950, in Greenville, Ohio, to Glen and Lena McGaughey Barger. On July 25, 1970, in Pierceton, she married Gene Burkett, who survives. She resided in Pierceton for 43 years. She worked at Whitley Products for 15 years and was a homemaker. She was a longtime member of the Pierceton Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary. She was a 1968 graduate of Columbia City High School. She was an avid NASCAR fan. She loved her family and grandchildren and dogs J.J., Blaze and Junior. She also enjoyed spending time on her ATV. Also surviving are a daughter, Robin (and spouse David) Engle, Pierceton; three sisters, Kay (and spouse John), Plymouth; Sandy (and spouse Carl) Tuncil, Warsaw; Patty Barger, Harrisburg, Pa.; a brother, Earl Wayne (and spouse Jan), Leesburg; four grandchildren: Larkin and Starlin Hicks, Christian Engle and Jamie King. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Eddie Barger. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Pierceton, with the Rev. Dudley Waites officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton. Calling is from to 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491. Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
