The Punxsutawney Spirit

Emma M. Burkett, 99, R.D. 5 Punxsutawney, died Thursday, July 28, 2005, in Brookville.

Mrs. Burkett was born July 28, 1906, in Oliver Township, the daughter of the late Michael and Laura (Stahlman) Himes.

She was married Sept. 13, 1923, to Charles C. Burkett, who preceded her in death Nov. 1, 1982.

Mrs. Burkett was a member of the Burkett Hollow Methodist Church. She was very proud of her 62 years of teaching Sunday school at the church. Mrs. Burkett enjoyed photography and taking pictures. Her main love was her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She was a lifelong resident of the area.

She is survived by nine children, Elvin Burkett and wife Peggy of R.D. 4 Brookville, Mrs. Agnes Burns of Brookville, Mrs. William (Isabel) Hetrick of Brookville, Albert Burkett of Coolspring, Mrs. Clair (Marion) McKendree of Stanton, Mrs. Herbert (Alvera) Burns of R.D. 2 Summerville, Nelson Burkett and wife Elaine of R.D. 4 Brookville, Mrs. Lynn (Elva) Crosswaite of Reynoldsville, and Kenneth Burkett and wife Catherine of Findley Lake, N.Y.; 35 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Cressley of Tarentum and Mrs. Selah Park of Brookville.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Harry Himes, Clair Himes, John Himes and Wilson Himes; three sisters, Lula Byerly, Anna Smith and Hazel Young; two grand-daughters, Sylvia Burns and Deborah Burns; a son-in-law, Jay Burns; and a daughter-in-law, Ruby Burkett.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Deeley Funeral Home, Punxsutawney. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2005, at the funeral home with the Rev. Bernard L. Shuey and Pastor Doug Wolfe officiating.

Interment will follow at Coolspring Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Brookside Assisted Living, 49 Brookside Lane, Brookville, Pa. 15825.


OBIT thanks to Mona Anderson