Mark L. Burkhart
Mark passed away Thursday, August 18, 2022 age 72 to the sounds of Ragtime Cowboy Joe, a favorite road trip tune. Mark was born and raised in Kent and Rocky River, Ohio, graduating from Miami University where he met the love of his life, Lynn. In 1979, one of many memorable road trips, brought them West to Missouri where Mark continued his career in education. Mark spent most of his teaching career in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. His love of literature, art, writing, and history fostered creativity and imagination in his students. Mark was happiest spending time with family, dinners (and drinks) with friends, traveling, naps with his cats, volunteering at a cat shelter, immersing himself in a good book and remembering all the details, watching hawks and hummers, and collecting gnomes. He was an amazing artist, leaving behind endless sketchbooks and cathartic reflective doodles. His family and friends will miss his quick wit and sense of humor, his endearing kindness, and wonderful easy laugh. He was a good caring man. Mark will be deeply missed by his wife of 47 years, Lynn; his cherished son, Nicholas (Heather); and his precious grandchildren Evelyn, Olive, and Louis. Mark also leaves his brother Tim (Paula) Burkhart of Sonoma, CA; brother Paul (Leslie) Burkhart of Gabriola Island, BC;, sister Melissa Mickley of Lexington, OH; brother Jon (Leila) Burkhart of Evanston, IL; and mother-in-law, Rita Scherer; along with his many dear nieces and nephews. Mark was preceded in death by his brothers, David and Dan; brother-in-law David Mickley, and sister-in-law Laura Scherer. The family would like to thank the compassionate and dedicated nurses, doctors, and staff of DePaul Hospital’s ER and ICU units for their care and comfort during Mark’s hospitalization and final hours.
Services: Following his wishes, there will not be a service, but well-wishers are encouraged to write a note of farewell on a bottle of stout and drink it in his honor. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcomed to his favorite cat house: www.7morecats.com or a charity of your choice that brings Mark to mind.
Condolences(3)-
-
-
Paula Gulley says
September 10, 2022 at 11:25 pmMark was my antique mall partner, my lunch partner, my cat shelter partner, my friend. He was the big brother I always wished for and finally found. We had so many good times together exploring different areas looking for interesting antique malls. He loved gnomes and we would scour the malls looking for new ones. I loved his delight in all things holiday and how he enjoyed decorating for Christmas. He was simply the best man I’ve ever had the privilege to know and I am so thankful Lynn was gracious enough to ‘loan’ him to me for our adventures. We had a little cat at the shelter who was beautiful but lethal. Mark was entranced by Harmony and was warned not to put his hand out to try to touch her. Every week he would watch her on the cat tree and pretty soon he would be holding his hand with a big scratch on it. At first I would administer first aid and slap a band-aid on his hand. After a while he got no sympathy at all and I would find him in the kitchen sheepishly cleaning his wounds. Mark, I would give anything to be with you in the shelter kitchen pouring peroxide over your scratches. You are loved and will be missed more than you know.
Ron Stedman says
September 6, 2022 at 8:17 pmI too wii have a lasting memory of Mark as a kind and compassionate man who cared about serving others especially by being a conscientious and talented teacher. Regarding his love for animals, we once had an adopted greyhound who loved to bolt from the house. One day whenI came home and opened the door out he went. We had a neighborhood trying to catch him, an impossible task, not 30 minutes later Mark had him in front of his house. A testament to Mark’s wonderful character and his love of life. He will be missed!
Marita Arregui says
September 3, 2022 at 7:50 pmLynn and Nicky. I just read the Obituary. You couldn’t have said it better. And the photograph looked as if he was talking.
He used to write on birthdays or on anniversaries. Short but he always had something nice to say.
Will miss him.