Joseph Vernon Burkholder

Joseph Vernon Burkholder of Hastings passed away on May 9, 2019, at the age of 95. Joe was a loving, compassionate man who was always a gentleman, loved his family unconditionally and was a friend to many.

He was born on April 15, 1924 in Pedricktown, New Jersey, the son of Clay and Ruth (King) Burkholder. Joseph attended grade school in Portsmouth, Ohio and graduated from Hastings High School in 1942.

Before serving in the Army during WWII, Joseph was a drill press operator. After the war, he worked for his father at Burkholder Chevrolet in Hastings. Later, he joined the EW Bliss Company as a Sales Engineer for 30 years. In 1948, Joseph married Barbara Shannon, and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage.

Joseph enjoyed golf, bowling, fishing and watching sports. He loved playing card games such as bridge, cribbage and euchre. Joseph also liked traveling and dancing. He was a member of the Hastings Country Club and Elks Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings and served as a trustee. He was also a Past President of the Hastings Kiwanis Club.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Shannon) Burkholder, his parents, his brother and sister-in-law Clay and Joan Burkholder, brother-in-law William Morgan, and great grandson Christopher Hawthorne.

He is survived by his children Nancy (Bill) Bradley of Hastings, Robin (Martin) Hawthorne of Hastings, grandchildren Tami (Lee) Kyle, Shawn (Jan) Hawthorne, Chris (Kikki) Hawthorne, Matt (Beth) Bradley, Shannon (Chris) Ewert, Erin (Steve) Lepper, and 12 great-grandchildren, sister Jean (William) Morgan, and his nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be Monday, May 20, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, 405 M-37, Hastings, MI 49058 at 11:00 AM, with a visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings-Noah's Ark Preschool or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.