John D. Burkett
John D. Burkett, 88, of Zelienople passed away Saturday with his family present from severe injuries sustained from the tragic bus accident that occurred Friday, April 26, 2013, in Evans City.
He spent five days in the Shock Trauma Unit at Allegheny General Hospital before being transferred into the compassionate care of the VNA Inpatient Hospice in Butler.
He was born in Harmony, and he was the son of the late William and Olive Burkett.
John was a longtime and active member of the St. Peter's Reformed Church in Zelienople. He was a 1942 graduate of Zelienople High School.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
He was a member of the Cranberry Township VFW and the Zelienople American Legion Post 474. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle.
John was the owner and operator of his family's milk hauling business for many years. After many years of dedicated service, he retired from Mine Safety Appliances.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Lou Burkett; his three loving children, John D. Burkett Jr. of Bayou Vista, La., Judy Hannas and her husband, Alan, of Bloomsburg, Pa., and Janet LaRocca and her husband, Greg, of Ellwood City; his brother, Henry Burkett of Harmony; his five grandchildren, Melissa Simmerman, Jason and Ryan Hannas, and Rachel and Elizabeth LaRocca; and his seven great-grandchildren, Brooke, Savanna and Benjamin Simmerman and Jacob, Autumn, Joshua and Jonathan Hannas.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his two sisters, Jean Butler and Gretchen Mick.
BURKETT — The family of John D. Burkett, who passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013, will welcome friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Boylan Funeral Home, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.A funeral ceremony with military honors will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter's Reformed Church, 314-320 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople, with the Rev. James R. Bertoti officiating. Friends please meet at the church.If desired, memorial contributions may be made in his honor in support of the St. Peter's Reformed Church or the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.Expressions of sympathy may be shared with John's family at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.
